Los Angeles Lakers: Predicting the next four years with LeBron James

Year 3 (2020-2021):

• Final record: 68-14, Win NBA Finals
• New additions: Anthony Davis, Pau Gasol (Veteran minimum)
• Key Losses: Nikola Vucevic, Brandon Ingram, 2021 First-Round Pick, 2022 First-Round Pick

This is where it really gets interesting for the Los Angeles Lakers as it would also be creating a path to success that extends past LeBron James.

At this point, Kyle Kuzma should be an all-star caliber player and Lonzo Ball should be knocking on the door. Brandon Ingram likely will be an all-star, however, will be off the team and on the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Lakers are going to have to agree to a sign and trade deal with Ingram to match the contract of Davis, who will be entering his final season under contract. At this point, the Pelicans should be willing to trade one year of their franchise player for more years of a promising young all-star in Ingram.

Nikola Vucevic will also likely walk and get a bigger payday elsewhere and the Lakers are likely going to have to part ways with two draft picks. By this time, Davis should be an all-star.

However, to come full circle, the Lakers will give Pau Gasol one last run at the title on a veteran minimum deal that would be the last season of his career. Gasol would serve as the backup center behind Davis.

This gives the team a starting five of Ball, Thompson, LeBron, Kuzma and Davis. The bench would consist of Josh Hart, Mykhailiuk, Gasol, Wagner and Bowman. Of course, there will be the filler and two-way contracts thrown in as well to provide depth.

This is a team that will dominate the regular season and march right to LeBron’s fourth NBA Finals win.