ESPN Preseason Predictions: Will the Lakers Be the NBA's Most Disappointing Team?

Every summer, ESPN issues it's preseason predictions. We hit on a few of them already, noting for example that the Lakers are predicted to win 45 games, and compete in that set of Western Conference teams either in, or narrowly avoiding, the play-in tournament.

If they stay healthy, we think that's too low. But whatever.

A new batch of predictions dropped on Thursday, and ESPN's writers voted the Lakers are the team most likely be the NBA's biggest disappointment. Is that fair? Well, if ESPN's writers are correct about the win total, there will certainly be the belief that they had a disappointing season and took a step backwards. And at the least the Lakers like to project that championship or bust approach to every season, whether championship is realistic or not.

And this season, it's not, and isn't the goal. Sure, they'll try to win as much as possible. They hope to surprise. But the point of this offseason was to retool the team around Luka Donćić, the same Luka that ESPN projects will win another scoring title. What they don't think he'll win, though, is MVP. That prediction is related to the one about LA's win total.

But what if Walker Kessler, who doesn't get any DPOY love, anchors a Lakers defense that's better than expected. Or Austin Reaves elevates to clear All-Star, or even All-NBA levels? What if JJ Redick gets some Coach of the Year love?

If these things happen, it means the Lakers surely have won more than 45 games, and Luka's MVP candidacy gets a BIG boost.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Are the Lakers going to be the NBA's biggest disappointment?

SEGMENT 2: What are the right expectations?

SEGMENT 3: Luka and the MVP race.

PHOTO CREDIT: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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