Prominent NBA analyst Rosalyn Gold-Onwude made a bold prediction on ESPN’s NBA Today that shocked everybody on the panel. Gold-Onwude predicted that LeBron James and the Lakers would finish in the top four in the Western Conference next season. The ESPN reporter is one of the few in the NBA community to have such high hopes for LeBron James and the Lakers in the upcoming season.

The Lakers had a disappointing season last year. In fact, they failed to qualify for the playoffs with a boatload of superstars and MVP-caliber players on the roster. The LA team couldn’t even make the play-in tournament despite LeBron averaging 30.3 points, 6.2 assists, and 8.2 rebounds.

However, the Los Angeles Lakers have hired a new head coach to improve their deplorable 33-49 record last season. Newly appointed Darvin Ham faces the difficult task of fixing a dysfunctional roster without any major trades in the offseason.

Gold-Onwude makes a bold prediction about LeBron James and the Lakers

Rosalyn Gold-Onwude, who stole the limelight after showing up to the 2017 NBA awards as superstar rapper Drake’s date, took the entire studio by surprise after claiming that LeBron James‘ Lakers would finish as a top-four seed in the West next season. “I could see the Lakers as a top-four team,”?said the 35-year-old reporter.

However, Gold-Onwude faced immediate pushback on her take from the rest of the panel. Dave McMenamin joked that the only place where the Lakers could finish top four is the Pacific Division table. In other words, the prediction seemed outlandish to everyone, considering the LA team’s current position.

Meanwhile, Gold-Onwude clarified her position. The former NBA sideline reporter explained that many teams in the West have a lot of problems to solve in their roster. “The rest of the West have a lot of question marks and gaps to fill,”?she said.

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Additionally, the former TNT presenter listed several teams as potential candidates for a top four spot next year. Her list consisted of the Warriors, the Grizzlies, the Pelicans, and the Clippers.

The Lakers in the upcoming season

The Lakers have been trying to trade Russell Westbrook all summer for Kyrie Irving. However, the trade seems very unlikely under present circumstances.

As it turns out, the LA team has to make the most out of Westbrook next season.

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Do you think the Lakers would be able to get a good deal for Westbrook? Let us know in the comment section.