NBA GMs have no faith in the Lakers, pick them to finish eighth in West

NBA GMs have no faith in the Lakers, pick them to finish eighth in West

The NBA’s general managers apparently don’t expect much from the Lakers this season.

In the league’s annual GM survey, published on Tuesday, NBA GMs picked the Lakers to finish eighth in the Western Conference in 2022-23.

In last year’s survey, 80 percent of GM votes picked the Lakers to win the West.

The LeBron James-led Lakers finished 33-49 last season, allowing the third-most points per game (115.1) in the NBA. A failed Big Three experiment in James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, along with a plethora of injuries, contributed to the team’s lackluster season.

Anthony Davis #3, LeBron James #6, Head Coach Darvin Ham, and Russell Westbrook #0 pose for a photo during NBA Media day at UCLA Health Training Center on Sept. 26, 2022 in El Segundo, California.Anthony Davis #3, LeBron James #6, Head Coach Darvin Ham, and Russell Westbrook #0 pose for a photo during NBA Media day on Sept. 26, 2022 in El Segundo, California. NBAE via Getty Images

The GMs responded to 50 different questions about the best teams, players, coaches and offseason moves, and were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel. In the survey, the voting percentages are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question, rather than all 30 GMs.

Like last year, NBA GMs picked James as having the best basketball IQ in the league, with the 37-year-old getting 45 percent of the vote — though, the consensus percentage was lower than last year’s 53 percent.

Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who is the reigning NBA MVP, had the second-highest percentage (24 percent).

Lakers players Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley #21 and Anthony Davis #3 during a preseason game against the Kings in at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 3, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.Lakers players Russell Westbrook #0, Patrick Beverley #21 and Anthony Davis #3 during a preseason game against the Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Oct. 3, 2022.Getty Images

After a summer that was filled with dramatic trade rumors surrounding Westbrook — the point guard had one of his worst campaigns last season — the Lakers are on a mission to get back to the postseason.

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka seems committed to Westbrook, who exercised his $47.1 million option in June to return to Los Angeles.

The team’s owner, Jeanie Buss — who has expressed her frustration with how last season ended — is also confident in Westbrook fitting in the system of new head coach Darvin Ham.

LeBron James speaks with the media during Los Angeles Lakers media day at UCLA Health Training Center on Sept. 26, 2022 in El Segundo, California.LeBron James speaks with the media during Los Angeles Lakers media day at UCLA Health Training Center on Sept. 26, 2022 in El Segundo, California. Getty Images

In this year’s GM survey, Ham was the top vote-getter (48 percent) when asked which relocated head coach will make the biggest impact on his new team.

The Lakers also added veteran guard Patrick Beverley in August, who will add a defensive boost to that side of the ball. James also said during media day last month that the Lakers will be “hammering home” to improve on defense this season.

As for which team’s level of success this season is toughest to predict? NBA GMs picked the Nets (32 percent) and Lakers (18 percent).

The Lakers open their 2022-23 season against the Warriors on Oct. 18.