NBA Free Agency: 5 ways the Leonard-DeRozan trade will change the dynamics of the 2018-19 season

#4 The Lakers face an uphill task in the playoffs this year

2018 Las Vegas Summer League - Detroit Pistons v Los Angeles Lakers

As already stated, the Spurs are now clearly in the drivers' seat to land homecourt advantage. This puts 4 teams at a clear talent advantage when compared to the Lakers as currently constructed. The Rockets have 2 Hall of Fame playmakers in Chris Paul and James Harden, while the Thunder have managed to retain the services of Paul George to pair him with Russell Westbrook.

The Spurs now have 2 All-NBA caliber talents in LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan while also landing a capable center in Jakob Poetl. This puts them at a clear advantage in comparison to the Lakers.

Other than Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, they do not have reliable shooting within the roster and it remains to be seen how good Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart will be as spot-up shooters. Both of their point guards are awful at long-range shooting - Rondo and Lonzo are routinely left open at the 3-point line and dared to shoot by every team in the league.

If the Lakers finish any lower than 5th, they will be susceptible to run into OKC, the Warriors or the Rockets in the first round, and will not be favorites in a series against any of them. They still don't have a reliable center on their roster, and that problem won't be going away any time soon.