ESPN Preseason Predictions: Will the Lakers Be the NBA's Most Disappointing Team?

Every summer, ESPN issues it's preseason predictions. We hit on a few of them already, noting for example that the Lakers are predicted to win 45 games, and compete in that set of Western Conference teams either in, or narrowly avoiding, the play-in tournament. If they stay healthy, we think that's too low. But whatever. A new batch of predictions dropped on Thursday, and ESPN's writers voted the Lakers are the team most likely be the NBA's biggest disappointment. Is that fair? Well, if ESPN's writers are correct about the win total, there will certainly be the belief that they had a disappointing season and took a step backwards. And at the least the Lakers like to project that championship or bust approach to every season, whether championship is realistic or not. And this season, it's not, and isn't the goal. Sure, they'll try to win as much as possible. They hope to surprise. But the point of this offseason was to retool the team around Luka Donćić, the same Luka that ESPN projects will win another scoring title. What they don't think he'll win, though, is MVP. That prediction is related to the one about LA's win total. But what if Walker Kessler, who doesn't get any DPOY love, anchors a Lakers defense that's better than expected. Or Austin Reaves elevates to clear All-Star, or even All-NBA levels? What if JJ Redick gets some Coach of the Year love? If these things happen, it means the Lakers surely have won more than 45 games, and Luka's MVP candidacy gets a BIG boost. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: Are the Lakers going to be the NBA's biggest disappointment? SEGMENT 2: What are the right expectations? SEGMENT 3: Luka and the MVP race. PHOTO CREDIT: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMto play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)