How would the 2009 Lakers do in today's league?

[ardee]

Assume they are the 31st team in the league and the 2023 Lakers still exist.

Would they win the title?

[Redmoon]

I think they would be a strong team still but probably not championship unless they had some time to adjust and made some roster changes. 3>2 Team offense is just miles better now.

[Fadeaway_J]

Not exactly sure but Odom would definitely be starting. I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up trading Bynum for a perimeter upgrade.

[kayess]

I think they'd be a half/quarter-tier below the best teams in the league. Bynum+Gasol are great inside, but it's not like the league would be unprepared (considering they have to deal with Giannis, Embiid, Jokic); I don't think their size makes up for the lack of shooting from their role players. Kobe's gonna get his and will be a great dynamic playmaker, but in a league full of 3 and D wings I don't think they have a super clear advantage that puts them in that elite tier.

[MisterHibachi]

Lack of shooting would hurt them, but a big physical front line + arguably the best player in the league goes a long way. They would solidly be a title contender, and a top 2 seed, imo. Same model as the 2020 Lakers.

[OhayoKD]

Lack of shooting would hurt them, but a big physical front line + arguably the best player in the league goes a long way. They would solidly be a title contender, and a top 2 seed, imo. Same model as the 2020 Lakers.

Eh, Lakers were a top 1 seed with Davis coasting and then AD went nova in the postseason. Lebron was also outright better in the rs and then jumped a level when the postseason came around. Lakers are more like the shaq-kobe lakers than the kobe-gasol ones though I suppose stylistically it would be more like Kareem-Magic