The Los Angeles Lakers made some major moves right on time.
They traded Russell Westbrook away and used all that cap space to bring in multiple pieces, some guys that could be a seamless fit next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
And while it’s still pretty early to tell whether the experiment has been a success or not, the early returns are most definitely encouraging.
The Lakers still have plenty of work to do to crack the playoffs, but with just 22 games left in the regular season, it seems like they’re finally right on track.
That’s why Skip Bayless believes that being without Westbrook makes them 30% better, and he even predicted that they could go as far as the Western Conference Finals to face the Phoenix Suns.
The Lakers are 30% better without Westbrook and with all the new additions. They'll go 17-6 in their final 23 and will rise above the play-in. I wouldn't be surprised if they played Phoenix in the West finals.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 24, 2023
Of course, we have to take Skip’s comments with a grain of salt, as per usual, as he’s a well-known Westbrook hater.
Also, he’s putting the Suns in the WCF despite the fact that Kevin Durant hasn’t even suited up for the team just yet, so maybe we shouldn’t get too carried away so early.
Still, it’s evident that this roster is a better fit for what coach Darvin Ham had in mind, as they have way more spacing, shooting, and switchable defenders side by side with their stars.
There’s no margin for error in Southern California, so we’ll see if they can keep this intensity up for the final 22 games of the regular season and make a big push in the playoffs.
NEXT: Lakers Head Coach Has His Sights Set On A Major Goal
