"Not far behind in competing for a chip" - LeBron and AD's Team USA dominance fuels ex-Clippers guard's Lakers championship prediction

LA Lakers superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis were two of Team USA's biggest standouts amid its pre-Olympic showcase schedule. Following their latest strong showing, ex-LA Clippers guard Austin Rivers expressed optimism about the Lakers' chances of contending for next season's NBA title.

Over five USA Basketball exhibition contests, all wins, James led the Americans in total points (73) and assists (19). Meanwhile, he came up big in crunch time on numerous occasions.

During Saturday's 101-100 victory over South Sudan, James hit a driving go-ahead layup with 8.0 seconds remaining. The 20-time NBA All-Star followed that up by hitting a series of clutch baskets to ice Monday's 92-88 win over Germany.

On the other hand, Davis has been arguably Team USA's most valuable big man, leading the squad in total rebounds (49) and blocks (15).

James and Davis' international dominance comes after LA fell 4-1 to the Denver Nuggets in Round 1 of this year's NBA playoffs. Following the series, many asserted that its championship window was closed.

However, according to Rivers, that may not be the case.

"When you watch USA basketball and realize the two most dynamic players thus far are two Lakers players, you realize they’re not far behind in competing for a chip," Rivers said Monday on X/Twitter. "That window can’t be closed considering I’m watching them be the best on the BEST team in the world."

The Lakers have done little to improve their roster this offseason, with their most notable additions being rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James.

However, if LeBron James and Anthony Davis maintain their elite play entering next season, LA may go all in and make a blockbuster win-now move.

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Amid LeBron James and Anthony Davis' international dominance, Austin Rivers says JJ Redick may be Lakers' missing piece

While the Lakers haven't made any substantial offseason roster acquisitions, they made a coaching change, taking a gamble on first-time coach JJ Redick.

Redick, renowned as one of the league's brightest analytical minds, has spoken about his desire to reinvent LA's offense around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

According to Austin Rivers, if Redick's coaching philosophy pans out, that may be enough to get the Lakers back into contention.

"I guess JJ Redick is right. They asked him, 'How far away are you?' He said, 'We're not far. We're a piece or two away from competing,'" Rivers said. "Maybe he is the piece."

Regardless, Lakers fans should likely be encouraged by seeing their team's two best players perform so well against the world's top competition. That should especially be true for James, who continues to thrive at age 39.

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