In 2024-25, the Los Angeles Lakers traded for a generational talent who still hasn't entered their prime and posted their highest win total in five seasons. With this in mind, it's difficult to blame the front office for believing they can replicate much of what went right a season ago.
Unfortunately, the Lakers' optimistic viewpoint includes a calculated risk that Rob Pelinka may be a bit too comfortable making: The hope that injuries will be avoided by players with a history of them.
A season ago, the Lakers went all-in on the hope that Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent would be able to overcome extensive injury histories.