As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for the upcoming NBA season, former player and five-time champion Derek Fisher has expressed confidence that the team will not experience the significant decline that has often followed LeBron James' exits from previous franchises. Fisher's optimism is largely rooted in the presence of Luka Doncic, who he believes can step into a leadership role following James' departure.
In a recent interview on 97.1 The Fan LA, Fisher acknowledged the historical trend of teams struggling after LeBron leaves, citing past examples with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. However, he argues that the Lakers are uniquely positioned to avoid such a fate. "You think about the few organizations where LeBron has been, you tell me where their record has gotten dramatically better after he left. So it’s not going to fall off that much because Luka is there," Fisher stated.
Fisher highlighted the potential of the Lakers' current roster, particularly the backcourt of Doncic and Austin Reaves. He referred to them as an "all-star backcourt" that could lead the team effectively. Additionally, he noted the promising development of Walker Kessler, whom the Lakers acquired in a trade with the Utah Jazz, emphasizing his elite defensive skills and rebounding ability. Fisher believes that with the right circumstances, the Lakers could still achieve between 45 to 50 wins this season.
Historically, LeBron's departures have led to severe downturns for his former teams. After leaving the Cavaliers in 2010, they plummeted from a league-best 61-21 record to a dismal 19-63 the following year. Similarly, the Miami Heat fell from 54-28 to 37-45 after his exit. Most notably, the Cavaliers experienced another drastic drop in performance after LeBron's second departure, finishing with a 19-63 record after a successful 50-32 season.
The Lakers, who finished last season with a strong 53-29 record and secured the fourth seed in the Western Conference, are now faced with the challenge of maintaining their competitive edge without James. Unlike previous teams that struggled post-LeBron, Fisher points out that the Lakers have a superstar in Doncic, who can lead an elite offense. This is a significant advantage that many of LeBron's former teams lacked after his exit.
Reaves' emergence as a reliable co-star has also been crucial, especially after the Lakers committed to him with a four-year, $185 million max extension this offseason. The addition of Kessler further strengthens the team's frontcourt, addressing a key area of concern for the Lakers.
While ESPN has projected a slight decline for the Lakers, estimating around 45 wins this season, Fisher remains hopeful about their playoff prospects. This projection reflects an eight-win decrease from last season's total but is not as severe as the collapses seen in other franchises after LeBron's departure. Despite this, there are still significant concerns surrounding the Lakers, including questions about their defense and overall depth.
Fisher believes that the Lakers' situation is different from those of LeBron's previous teams, as they already have a capable leader in Doncic. As the team gears up for the new season, all eyes will be on how they adapt to this transition and whether they can maintain their status as a playoff contender.
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