Los Angeles Lakers

Last season: 50-32, won Pacific Division, lost to Minnesota in the first round.

COACH: JJ Redick (2nd season, 50-32).

SEASON OPENER: Oct. 21 vs. Golden State

DEPARTURES: F Dorian Finney-Smith.

ADDITIONS: C Deandre Ayton, G Marcus Smart, F Jake LaRavia.

BetMGM championship odds: 16-1.

What to expect

Luka Doncic appears to be a man on a mission after his season of upheaval. His conditioning improvements have been widely documented, but he's also fully embracing the Lakers' culture and his pairing with LeBron James. He even played a role in the recruitment of Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart to boost the Lakers' roster, and he already has a tight bond with Redick, his former teammate in Dallas.

James begins his unprecedented 23rd NBA season on the bench due to sciati

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