NBA GMs project Lakers as play-in team, Luka Dončić as MVP runner-up

NBA general managers, in a survey conducted by John Schuhmann of NBA.com, expressed mixed opinions on the Los Angeles Lakers, with the most perplexing finding being that they predict the Lakers will end up as a play-in team this season. This is despite the Lakers winning 50 games last year and securing the No. 3 seed under rookie head coach JJ Redick and with Luka Dončić joining late in the season.

The confusion arises because the Lakers have retained their core players and added key reinforcements, including starting center Deandre Ayton and defensive guard Marcus Smart, which should theoretically improve an already strong team. However, GMs seem to believe the competitive Western Conference will lead to a decline in their standings, even as they acknowledge the team's enhancements.

Adding to the contradiction, Luka Dončić is projected to be the runner-up for the MVP award, receiving 10% of the GM votes, with Nikola Jokić as the overwhelming favorite at 67%. Luka also ranked highly in other categories, such as being No. 1 for best small forward and receiving votes for forcing opposing coaches to make adjustments, yet his individual success is not seen as enough to lift the Lakers out of the play-in scenario.

Other notable mentions in the survey include LeBron James, who was recognized for having the second-best basketball IQ and received 7% of votes as the best leader. Additionally, Lakers rookie Adou Theiro was noted as a potential draft steal, and 7% of GMs identified the Lakers as the hardest team to predict for success this season, highlighting the overall uncertainty surrounding the team.