The Los Angeles Lakers have significantly improved their roster, adding the best player in the NBA, LeBron James and some other solid players. What can we expect from them the upcoming NBA season?

LeBron in his first practice for the Lakers

In the 2017–18 season, the Lakers won 35 games, securing the 11th spot in the western conference. They drafted Lonzo Ball with the second pick, Kyle Kuzma with the 27th and Josh Hart with the 30th pick in the first round. All three players turned out to be solid especially Kyle Kuzma who averaged 16 points and 6 rebounds. They all have room to improve, but showed that you can expect big things from them. 

In addition, Lonzo Ball missed 30 games last season and Brandon Ingram 23. They were both starters and leading players which means that their absence played a role in Lakers final record.

This season the LA Lakers roster looks significantly different than the one from last year. Let's break down the differences from the last year's roster. 

First of all, the signing of LeBron James. He is arguably the best player in the league right now and a top 5 player of all time. He showed to be effective, getting two rings in Miami and one in Cleveland. He has made 8 straight finals appearances and showed that he ages like wine. He has also never had problems with injuries. James will unquestionably make the biggest impact on the Lakers. Not only helping in the playing time, but also being a mentor to the younger players. 

Replacing Brook Lopez with JaVale McGee, turning out to be a pretty neutral move, considering Lopez didn't have the best season with the Lakers. JaVale is more athletic and may be a better defender, but Brook is a better scorer even though his point average dropped from 20 to 13 while on the Lakers.

Adding Rajon Rondo, this definitely is an underrated move, because Rondo showed that he is the same player as in Boston, dishing 12.2 assists in the 2018 playoffs. Together, Lonzo, Rondo and James have averaged more assists than 25 teams in the 2017-18. He also stated that he is ready to help Lonzo Ball develop and doesn't have a problem with taking the bench role.

Losing Julius Randle is probably the worst move this off-season. He was a runner-up for the Most Improved Player and put up solid stats. This weakens the Lakers backcourt.

Adding Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley. They were both solid starters on their teams previous year and will be even better bench players. Stephenson and Beasley backing up LeBron and Ingram will make the Lakers tough to beat.

ESPN predicted that the LA Lakers will win 41 games and miss the playoff, but in my opinion adding the best player in the world brings up more than just 6 wins. If all healthy, the Lakers will definitely win at least 50 games. My prediction for the 2018-19 season is 3rd or 4th seed with 52 wins and a second round playoff exit.