Lakers News: LA Trails Denver Nuggets, Others In First Power Rankings Of 2024 Season

Big things may be coming to the Lakers!

The 2023-24 NBA season is here!

With the new season means new power rankings from Sports Illustrated where the Lakers crack the top 5 after a strong back end of the season and postseason.

Coming in at the No. 4 spot the Lakers are only behind the Celtics, Bucks, and last year's NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets.

"A 16–7 post–All-Star break record and a trip to the conference finals was all GM Rob Pelinka needed to double down on this roster. LeBron James is healthy, Anthony Davis is stronger, and Austin Reaves (17.6 points per game after the All-Star break) is poised for a breakout season. If either Christian Wood or Jaxson Hayes can play their way into the frontcourt rotation, L.A. will be formidable."

via Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated

With a healthy LeBron James and Anthony Davis in tow, the Lakers will always be a top team in the NBA, and with Austin Reaves coming back to the Lakers on a 4-year max contract, a bigger role for him will help the offense and dynamic nature of the lineup.

More underrated moves to sign Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood could allow for Davis to play more of a power forward role at times rather than always being the starting center and potentially heightening his risk of injury.

Wood signed a two-year, veteran's minimum deal to go to the Lakers after averaging 16.6 points last year with the Dallas Mavericks and tallying 7.3 rebounds per game.

Wood is two years removed from averaging 21 points with the Houston Rockets and being a tough challenge to slow down offensively.

The Lakerslost to Denver on Opening Night, 119-107, but LA has notoriously started slow, and with all the roster turnover, it's expected to take some time to mesh.

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