clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Preview the Los Angeles Lakers heading into the 2020-21 NBA season

We go over the Lakers’ depth chart, odds to win a championship and provide fantasy basketball analysis for the 2020-21 NBA season.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis celebrates with forward LeBron James after a play during the third quarter against the Miami Heat in game one of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena.  Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The 2020-21 NBA season is a few weeks away and training camp is underway. The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off their first championship since 2010 after knocking off the Miami Heat in six games in October. It’s a quick turnaround for the Lakers, who will bring back both LeBron James and Anthony Davis for another run at a title. Los Angeles will have a very different roster after a busy offseason. Here we’re going to take a look at the Lakers’ offseason, plus look ahead to the 2020-21 season.

2020 offseason

Key additions

Dennis Schroder, PG (trade)
Montrezl Harrell, PF (free agency)
Marc Gasol, C (free agency)
Wesley Matthews, SG (free agency)

Key losses

Dwight Howard, C (free agency)
Rajon Rondo, PG (free agency)
Avery Bradley, PG (free agency)
JaVale McGee, C (free agency)

2020-21 odds

Title odds: +300
Win percentage: O/U 66.5 percent
LeBron James MVP odds: +900
Anthony Davis MVP odds: +800
Anthony Davis DPOTY odds: +275

2020-21 roster

Depth Chart

PG: Dennis Schroder, Alex Caruso, LeBron James
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Wesley Matthews
SF: LeBron James, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Alfonzo McKinnie
PF: Markieff Morris, Montrezl Harrell, LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma
C: Marc Gasol, Montrezl Harrell, Markieff Morris

Roster battles

Backup C: Montrezl Harrell vs. Markieff Morris
6th man: Montrezl Harrell vs. Dennis Schroder

Fantasy basketball

Best Sleeper

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — Pope was huge for the Lakers during the playoff run as a 3-4 scoring option. His defense will keep him either in the starting lineup or playing a decent amount of minutes per game. He has some 3-point upside and the Lakers lost some depth, so KCP could play SG and SF in some looks.

Likely Bust

Kyle Kuzma — Kuzma is a diva and says he’s out to prove the haters wrong this season. I don’t buy it at all. Maybe he’ll shine during garbage time here and there or when LeBron/AD sits, but other than that, Kuzma likely won’t play much — especially with Harrell and Gasol in town.