Step One: James and Davis get healthy

First and foremost, the Los Angeles Lakers need LeBron James and Anthony Davis to get their bodies right this offseason. In his age 36 season, James sustained a high-ankle sprain that would cause him to miss 26 games in the latter portion of the regular season.

Despite playing through the injury in the playoffs, it was evident that he was still being slightly affected by his ankle ailment. As for Anthony Davis, injuries have always been a concern, especially with how many times he ends up on the floor on the offensive end.

Davis was sidelined for 36 total games during the regular season this year, and he would suffer another injury versus the Suns in the playoffs that led to the team’s demise.

The good news for the Lakers is that after a quick turnaround from last season to this season, the team has a full offseason to get back in shape mentally and physically. The short period between the end of the 2020 NBA Finals and the start of the 2020-21 season took a clear toll on them.

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If Los Angeles wants any chance of returning to the NBA Finals next season, they’ll need healthy versions of James and Davis available.