Lakers News: Insider Predicts Reason Why LA Won't Win Championship This Season

The Los Angeles Lakers have become a title contender since they traded for Luka Doncic. Their defense didn't drop off a cliff like many around the league thought that it would.

Doncic gives the Lakers a lot more options on offense. With him on the court, LeBron James doesn't have as much pressure on him to create for everyone else.

Los Angeles is able to score with anyone else in the NBA as long as he is on the court. Even if they can't stop certain teams in the playoffs, they can lean on having one of the best offenses in the league.

Not everyone thinks that the Doncic trade makes the Lakers automatic contenders to win the championship this season. One NBA insider thinks there's a big reason why they won't win it this year.

Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report believes that their weak frontcourt is the reason why they won't win the championship. Specifically, he points to Jaxson Hayes being the starting center.

Hayes was never supposed to be the starter this season. Even after the Lakers traded away Anthony Davis, they tried to trade for Mark Williams to man that spot in the middle.

Eventually, they failed his physical, and Hayes became the starter for the rest of the year. They don't have any other options at center.

Hayes has actually played some of the best basketball of his career since Doncic joined the team. He's a perfect guy to throw lobs to.

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The defense hasn't cratered with Hayes manning the middle, either. Still, the playoffs are a different animal. Once the Lakers are in the postseason, they're only playing good teams.

It remains to be seen if Hayes can handle some of the best teams in the league night after night. That's the only flaw in this team, barring injuries.

The Lakers will get James back from his injury in the not-so-distant future. As long as they have him and Doncic on the court, they are going to be dangerous.

Hayes is averaging 6.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.

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