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Los Angeles Lakers: What if they land Paul George and Chris Paul in 2022

By Zane Harris

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 24: Anthony Davis (L) and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers talk as they attend Game Four of the 2019 WNBA Playoff semifinals between the Washington Mystics and the Las Vegas Aces at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on September 24, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mystics defeated the Aces 94-90 and won the series 3-1. 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, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 24: Anthony Davis (L) and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers talk as they attend Game Four of the 2019 WNBA Playoff semifinals between the Washington Mystics and the Las Vegas Aces at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on September 24, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mystics defeated the Aces 94-90 and won the series 3-1. 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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Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /

Can the Los Angeles Lakers eventually bring in both Chris Paul and Paul George in 2022 to hopefully help sustain a dynasty run?

In a recent report from Greg Swartz from Bleacher Report, he said that he believes the Lakers are in play to acquire both Paul George and Chris Paul in the 2022 season. If this happens, it would give the Lakers LeBron James and Chris Paul likely at the end of their careers and Anthony Davis and Paul George to carry the franchise after James and Paul retire.

This would be the perfect situation for the Lakers along with this being the best possible transition period imaginable. I decided to go into NBA 2k20 and see what would happen if this scenario were to happen. I simulated through the 2020 and 2021 seasons and let the simulation take control of everything that the teams did outside of not allowing the Clippers to sign George to an extension, the not being able to sign Paul to an extension, or the Lakers allowing Davis to leave in free agency.

In the first season, the Lakers finished with a record of 60-22 and Frank Vogel is named coach of the year. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are members of the All-NBA First team as well as both being named to the All-NBA Defensive team. They go on to defeat the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals in a 4-1 gentleman’s sweep. Anthony Davis wins Finals MVP averaging 26.2 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.0 blocks a game. The Timberwolves land the first overall pick and select LaMelo Ball. The Lakers drafted Josh Green, a shooting guard from Louisville. In free agency, the Lakers resign Anthony Davis to a three year $107.23 million dollar deal. Along with this, they signed Davon Reed, Jared Butler, Meyers Leonard and undrafted free agent Zeke Nnaji.

With the team not doing much to retain their team from last year they have a much different looking and younger roster this season. They have a starting five of Avery Bradley, Talen Horton-Tucker, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Zeke Nnaji. The next four players who will be seeing minutes are Kyle Kuzma, Alex Caruso, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Meyers Leonard. Before the season, the Lakers sign LeBron James to a 2-year 62.73 million dollar extension. In the 2020-2021 season, the Lakers finished with a record of 53-29. Zeke NNaji was named rookie of the year and Anthony Davis was named defensive player of the year.

LeBron James was named to the All-NBA first team and the All-Defensive second team and Anthony Davis was named to the All-NBA second team as well as the All-Defensive first team. This year, the Lakers are swept in the Western Conference Finals by the first seeded Dallas Mavericks.

Chris Paul and Paul George both sign their player options to stay with their respective teams for one more season before coming to the Lakers. The Hornets win the lottery in this season and select Jalen Green.

Along with this, they also somehow get Giannis in free agency. The Lakers sign Nimari Burnett, a combo guard from Texas Tech. They re-sign Kyle Kuzma and Talen Horton-Tucker. However, once again they mostly clean house with the roster. They sign Rudy Gobert to a one-year deal, N’Faly Dante, Jonas Jerebko, Boban Majanovic, Spencer Dinwiddie Pattrick Patterson, and Franklin Torres.

The Lakers starting five is Spencer Dinwiddie, Talen Horton-Tucker, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Rudy Gobert. Once again, the team is running a nine-man rotation, and Kyle Kuzma, Zeke NNaju, Boban Marjanovic, and Josh Green are the only other players seeing minutes. The Lakers finished with a record of 56-26. LeBron was named to the All-NBA second team and that was the only award given to a Laker this season. They finished as the first seed in the West and defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals in five games. Anthony Davis was named finals MVP with averages of 26.8 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.2 blocks a game.

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