LEBRON: THE KING OF EAST, DRAMA QUEEN OF THE WEST

We’re past halfway through this 2018-19 NBA season, with a couple months of meaningful games left for teams still trying to get to the playoffs.

This season has been unpredictable so far, after LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers and began playing with a young team. The Lakers are currently three games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Will the 15-time All Star take his team to the playoffs after five years of L.A. missing out since they lost in the first round in 2013 against the San Antonio Spurs?

For James, it would be his first playoff miss since the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2004-05 season. He has never missed an Eastern Conference playoff since, and has played 239 playoff games, earning three NBA championships in those 13 seasons.

The King finally got a taste of the tough Western Conference teams this season. Knowing he’s not able to carry a team by himself in the West, he will need to find key pieces to add next season to be a legit contender in this competitive conference.

Speaking of key players, among the big names that are up for free agency before next season is Kevin Durant. A lot of fans, players, coaches and NBA GMs are curious what the 10-team All Star’s next move is.

After leaving Oklahoma City and signing with the Golden State Warriors and winning two championships with his current team, Durant has had a lot of criticism regarding his role as far as being a leader and leading a team on his own. He definitely has the skills and talent to carry and lead another team to the championship, if he leaves the Warriors. He just needs more core pieces to complete the puzzle and the New York Knicks could give him the opportunity if he signs with them this summer.

For now, Durant will not address any free agency rumors until this season – very understandable given the fact his team is just two games ahead in the Western Conference standings right now.

Before the Feb. 7 trade deadline this season, Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans made it publicly clear that he wants to be traded. The Lakers jumped into the conversation right away, willing to trade any/all of their key players, except LeBron, for the six-time All Star, which backfired for the Lakers since the Pelicans declined the offer.

LeBron did take advantage during the All Star weekend to draft Davis to his team’s roster, along with his former Cavalier teammate Kyrie Irving, who’s also going be a free agent this summer.

The current season is far from over yet, however. While players are trying to prove their worth, some teams are competing just to make it to the eight playoff spot, while others are looking to win as many games as they can to get a better matchup in the first round.

This season has already been unpredictable enough that we could see new teams compete for the championship – not just the Warriors and Cleveland again!