Where Do Lakers Stand in Western Conference Following All-Star Break?

The Los Angeles Lakers need to make a run now that they have Luka Doncic on the roster.

Feb 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) dribbles against Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images / Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers are doing everything they can to win an NBA Championship this season. Despite some fans' qualms with how the front office has gone about improving the roster, that is unequivically true.

That was reinforced when the Lakers traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic. Doncic is a top-three player in the NBA, and adding him to the roster with LeBron James makes the team a real contender.

The Lakers are expecting to make a run this year, but the trade also helps them in the future. Doncic will be the face of the franchise once James retires.

Read More: Lakers' LeBron James Reveals Whether He Regrets Not Participating in Slam Dunk Contest

Los Angeles needs to figure out the center spot, although they might be stuck there for the rest of the season. After the failed trade with Mark Williams, Jaxson Hayes is going to be the starter for the rest of the year.

Signing Alex Len as a backup to Hayes helps them, size-wise, but he won't be a massive part of the rotation. This season will still come down to what James and Doncic are able to do offensively.

Coming out of the All-Star break, the Lakers are fifth in the Western Conference standings. They are just a game away from the Rockets for the fourth spot in the West.

Getting that spot would give them home-court advantage, which is something they crave. Will the Doncic addition be enough to see them make a deep run?

More Lakers: Luka Doncic 'Impressed' With Lakers Ability to Make Trades Despite Rescinded Deal: Report

Offensively, the Lakers are significantly better than they were before the trade. They can attack teams with multiple options, which makes them dangerous.

There's a good chance that the Lakers will make it to the second round of the playoffs this season. They even have a shot to make the Conference Finals.

The issue is that Oklahoma City is so good. They are clearly the favorites to come out of the Western Conference.

If the Lakers can somehow upset the Thunder, or don't have to face them, they have a real shot to make the NBA Finals.

The highest the Lakers can finish in the regular season is likely third in the West.

More Los Angeles Lakers:

Fans React to Former Lakers Star Anthony Davis New Prank TV Show

Lakers News: Dalton Knecht Revealed D'Angelo Russell Gave Him Advice Before Being Traded

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.