The Lakers finished the 2018-19 season with a disappointing 37-45 overall record. Despite that fact, Caron Butler believes next season will be “wide open” for the Lakers to make a run at another title.
Butler joined the set of ESPN's Get Up on Friday morning. During his appearance, he was asked which team should be the favorite for next season.
“For years, it's been the Golden State Warriors Invitational,” Butler said. “And now, with all these injury updates and news about free agency, it's wide open for the Los Angeles Lakers. And I know LeBron James is looking at this like: ‘This is my window to capitalize on this opportunity.'”
With all these injures, @realtuffjuice says it's wide open for the Lakers in the 2020 title race. pic.twitter.com/eR9WfKJSpf
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 14, 2019
The Lakers had high hopes for the 2018-19 season. LeBron James had joined the team after four straight trips to the Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, James went down with a groin injury near the midway point of the season, which forced him to the sidelines for 17 games. As a result, Los Angeles fell further and further out of playoff contention. Prior to James' injury, however, the Lakers were on pace for a spot in the Western Conference Playoffs.
James' groin injury wasn't the only bit of drama the Lakers dealt with this season. At the trade deadline, it was reported that Los Angeles was willing to trade several of their young players to the New Orleans Pelicans in a deal for Anthony Davis, but no deal came to fruition.
At this point, it's hard to say what the 2019-20 season will hold for the Lakers. According to several reports, the team is actively searching for another star to play alongside James. Some have said that Davis is Los Angeles' No. 1 target, but so far, the two teams have not been able to complete a deal.
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