The NBA Finals is the end goal and the dream for every NBA team. Only two teams get to experience going to the Finals each year, and one will lift the Larry O’Brien trophy in the center of an NBA court.
The 2024-25 Los Angeles Lakers have a chance to reach these heights. As the season progresses toward the All-Star break, there is no doubt that the Lakers have shown that they are a playoff-caliber team. They have beaten some of the top teams in both conferences. Recently they crushed the defending champion Boston Celtics Still, everyone begs the question: How far will the Lakers go this season?
A variety of Western Conference teams have a chance at making the playoffs. The San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves are among the teams in the mix. Only the first two teams listed are currently fighting for a play-in spot; the rest are all in contention for the play-in. It is worth noting that the Mavericks have dealt with injuries and they are looking forward to the return of Luka Dončić, whose presence has been missed.
The rest of the teams are all actively looking to trade to boost their teams, gearing up for a potential run in the playoffs and a threat to the Lakers. There is only a 3.5-game difference between the No. 11 spot (Warriors) and No. 5 spot (Lakers) in the Western Conference, showing the parity. The Lakers and Warriors will face each other two more times this season and wins will be crucial for both teams as head-to-head matchups would be first in line to fix a tiebreaker in the standings.
Although it can be discouraging to see how much competition there is in the Western Conference, the Lakers have been proving their doubters wrong so far in the season. They have shown that they can bring intense pressure on the defensive side of the ball, and they have also been able to highlight their offense in the process.
The most important players that are going to need to continue their success this season will be veterans Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Having two future hall-of-famers leading the Lakers to a playoff run will be special for the city of Los Angeles. These two are no strangers to playing in a playoff atmosphere and they have already won one championship together.
It doesn’t take merely veterans, however, to win championships and to have success in the playoffs. The top players will need to have someone else step up for them and thrive off the depth players’ energies. The Lakers already have some answers for who that reliable player could be. Guard Austin Reaves has solidified himself as someone James and Davis can trust. Anytime the Lakers are looking for some offense, they get it from Reaves.
It would be disrespectful to not acknowledge rookie Dalton Knecht and what he has provided the Lakers’ offense with this season. Yet as much credit as there is to be given to Knecht, historically, rookies in playoffs tend to struggle and find their rhythm since it is their first time in such a high-stakes environment. Mistakes that had never been made by them all of a sudden seem so tangible to be made, all because of a change in environment.
If the Lakers want to maximize their chances of winning a title this season, they might have to deal with some players at the upcoming NBA trade deadline. The Lakers are in dire need of a shooter; Reaves and Knecht can’t carry the load of being the only shooters on the team. The Lakers either need someone to step up and help out, or they need to get a veteran shooter who can give them better scoring opportunities beyond the arc.
Assuming the Lakers make a trade acquiring a guard who can shoot the ball, they should be able to make a run in the playoffs. The Lakers' ceiling is a deep playoff run, with an expectation of reaching the Western Conference Finals. However, advancing beyond that point remains uncertain unless they address their weaknesses. It starts with perimeter shooting, defensive depth, and injury management. While the team has the talent to compete, their path to the NBA Finals is filled with very tough opponents who may expose their deficiencies in a seven-game series.
If the Lakers can make adjustments and find greater consistency, their postseason outlook could shift. But as it stands, their chances of returning to the finals and winning a championship don’t seem reachable, making them a talented yet flawed team at the same time.