The Athletic's Player Tiers Show the Lakers Don't Have Enough Top Level Players

The Western Conference Finals are, understandably, creating angst around the league, including among Lakers fans. Why? Because pretty much everyone is watching the Thunder and Spurs thinking, "We're not nearly as good as they are." 

And considering both teams might not be done improving (especially San Antonio) the existential crisis is warranted. 

Law Murray at The Athletic has been publishing his tiered list of the top 125 players in the NBA. The Lakers will have four guys on it -- Luka, LeBron, Reaves and Marcus Smart, who snuck in at the bottom of the lowest tier -- and one (Rui Hachimura) who was in the group of players who just missed out. Four of those players can or will be free agents this summer, meaning the Lakers have work to do just to hold on to the talent they have, let alone upgrade. 

Meanwhile, OKC and San Antonio basically double what the Lakers have. Meaning those teams can go eight deep before anyone who isn't among the league's best 125 players (or basically the top 25%). 

That's a depth problem that is difficult to combat, and that's before you even see where guys land, because both Western Conference elites have plenty of dudes near the top of these lists. 

Nobody said Rob Pelinka's job would be easy!

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky 

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