Being a part of the Los Angeles Lakers means to pursue excellence. Fans always expect the team to make a deep playoff run even when the team doesn’t look as strong as the other teams in the Western Conference on paper.

Part of the reason why Lakers fans look for the Lakers to perform is LeBron James. The 39-year-old forward continues to defy logic with a strong 2023-24 season comparable to stars 15 years younger than him.

Anthony Davis is another reason why the Purple and Gold are successful. Injuries are always a concern with him, but he always puts up huge numbers whenever he’s on the floor.

Aside from the two, the Lakers don’t have much to boast. Dalton Knecht is a standout, but he hasn’t played a single minute of NBA basketball yet. Moreover, they failed to sign any of their target players in free agency.

The offseason has been so poor for the Lakers’ lofty standards that one analyst thinks that Laker Nation should prepare for a rough 2024-25 campaign.

Chris Carlin’s wild prediction: The Los Angeles Lakers will miss the play-in tournament

During a recent First Take episode, ESPN analyst Chris Carlin boldly declared that the Purple and Gold are so behind roster-wise that they wouldn’t even win enough games to make the play-in tournament next season.

“I think we’re not overblowing it because I think the Lakers at this point are a whole lot more likely to miss the play-in [tournament] than they are to make the playoffs. And here’s why. When I look at this group, I’m looking at a team that did not get any better than it was already this past year…”

“We have a rookie head coach who everybody believes is in LeBron’s pocket as it is. I think that’s a little bit problematic. Am I really expecting LeBron and Anthony Davis to play as many games as they did this past year? Think about that. LeBron played 71. Last five years on average before that? 55.”

It does seem like the Lakers are in for a rough season. They failed to attract any players who can contribute to the team. Even DeMar DeRozan signed with the Sacramento Kings instead of heading to Crypto.com Arena and being close to his hometown.

Unless JJ Redick is the second coming of Phil Jackson, fans may want to buckle up and prepare to see the Lakers lose more games next year.