Los Angeles Lakers Roster 2019 Lakers Roster

Top Questions Facing the Lakers Roster

1. Will Age Catch up to LeBron?

The one thing that is for certain is that LeBron has played quite a few minutes in this league. LeBron has always had the Robin to his Batman. This year, there is no clear-cut second option, meaning that LeBron will have to carry even more of the burden. In Cleveland and Miami, LeBron could be rested down the stretch because the team was either guaranteed a high seed or had other options. LeBron is going to have to log huge minutes once again. Looking at LeBron's numbers from last season, his numbers got stronger as the season wore on, which is inconsistent with the narrative of age catching up with him. If anything catches up with LeBron this year, it will be the lack of a supporting cast.

2. Who Else will Join LeBron?

After LeBron, the next highest paid player on the Lakers is Kentaveous Caldwell-Pope. This suggests that the Lakers have some room to add another top-shelf player to the team. The speculation in the offseason was over who would follow LeBron to L.A. The basketball world was shocked to see that there was nobody of note behind him as Kawhi Leonard went to Toronto. It is hard to imagine that the Lakers will stand pat after the coup of signing the greatest player of the generation. After Lakers amnestied Luol Deng, there is some room for the Lakers to add another player. Look for the Lakers to be active as the trading deadline nears.

3. Will the Defense Improve?

The Lakers were in the middle of the pack in the league in defense last season. While LeBron tends to improve the team's defense, the Lakers also have defensive liabilities such as Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram. The Lakers are also without a defensive stopper in the middle, and Javale McGee is hardly the answer. The Lakers are not in a position to improve their team defense which is a problem in the fast-paced Western Conference. LeBron is already being asked to do enough on the offensive side of the ball making it hard to carry the team on both ends.

4. Is Lonzo Ball Done?

Lonzo Ball arrived in a trail of hype last season as the second overall pick in the draft. He was heralded as the franchise savior and then proceeded to bomb as a rookie before getting hurt. Now, with James in town, he is being regarded as an afterthought. There are rumors that Ball has improved his jump shot. The question is how he will jel on the court with LeBron. Playing with the King brings its share of pressure, and it is an open question how the second-year player will handle it.