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Why the Los Angeles Lakers are guaranteed a title within two years

By Jason Reed

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Head coach Tyronn Lue (L) of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: Head coach Tyronn Lue (L) of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. If the Warriors win in 2019, the door is wide open for the Lakers in 2020

The Golden State Warriors are the clearcut favorites to win the NBA Championship next season. And while we are saying a title is guaranteed for the Lakers in the next two seasons, we still think the Warriors have a very, very high chance of a three-peat next season.

It will be the aftereffects of the team’s threepeat that will have a huge impact on the Los Angeles Lakers. I would go as far as to say if the Lakers do not win, every Laker fan should be rooting for the Warriors to take home the title.

The fourth title in five years could signal the end of the Warriors dynasty.

The obvious issue heading into next offseason for the Warriors is that Klay Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins are both free agents. Golden State is great without Cousins and he is obviously using them for a ring, so that inevitable loss won’t be huge.

As for Thompson, after winning four rings he may want to pursue greener pastures elsewhere and get paid the money he deserves. Whether that is going back to his roots in LA or taking a max deal elsewhere, plenty of teams are going to be able to offer Thompson a contract that the Warriors cannot.

Plus, a third ring increases the chances of Kevin Durant walking away. Durant does have a player option next offseason and if Thompson and Cousins leave, he may take his talents to the Eastern Conference to be the new king of the East and dismiss anyone doubting his previous decision.

Perhaps he goes home to the Washington Wizards and tries to lead them to a title. Maybe he goes for the bright lights of New York alongside Kripstaps Porzingis and maybe even Kyrie Irving.

Regardless, if the Warriors do not win the title next season there is a much higher chance that the core stays together to give it one more go. But if they do not win, the guarantee of a title in the first two years still remains.

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