The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers are the two most iconic franchises in the NBA. Both teams have a history of success. For most of NBA history, the Celtics have led all teams with 17 NBA titles. Recently, the Lakers caught up to the Celtics. In 2020, the Lakers won the championship, tying them with the Celtics for the most championships in NBA history.
Both teams are accustomed to winning. It is only a matter of time before one of these teams wins their 18th title. Who will win their 18th championship first? In this article, we decide if the Celtics or the Lakers will earn their 18th championship first.
The Lakers Window
The Los Angeles Lakers put themselves in a very tough position to win a championship in the near future. When LeBron James joined the team, they expended all of their resources in the effort to go all in for a championship. That paid off for them, as they won the championship in 2020, led by LeBron and Anthony Davis.
Ever since their championship, they have had a tough time becoming legitimate contenders again in the West. That being said, they still have James and Davis, both of whom should be considered top ten players in the NBA when they are healthy. If a solid team is built around the superstar duo, they should have another shot at a championship.
The problem is, the Lakers do not have too many avenues in which they can improve the roster. Nearly all of their picks and young players were shipped to the Pelicans in order to acquire Anthony Davis. Russell Westbrook recently went through the worst season of his career, and his trade value is at an all-time low.
Right now, the Lakers are hoping that someone will take Westbrook from them in exchange for some valuable assets. One rumor is that the Lakers could acquire Kyrie Irving from the Nets via trade. If that happens, the Lakers should be considered immediate contenders to win a championship, as long as the team can find a solid supporting cast.
The Celtics Window
The Boston Celtics reached the NBA Finals last season. They don’t appear to be backing down after losing the series. In fact, the roster looks even better than last season. The Celtics added Danilo Gallinari, a solid shooter. More significantly, Boston traded for Malcolm Brogdon without giving up any huge assets. Brogdon is the missing piece the Celtics need; he is a true playmaker that can help set up the offense, particularly in close late-game situations.
The Celtics have also emerged as one of the front runners to trade for Kevin Durant. Since KD is one of the top three players in the league, acquiring a player of his talent would immediately make the Celtics one of the favorites to win the championship next year. If the Celtics decide to avoid that route, they still have one of the brightest futures out of any team in the NBA.
Their star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown features two players who are both under the age of 25. They also have other young players like Robert Williams, who are vital pieces to their success. All of these players have consistently developed throughout their careers and should continue to do so.
Considering the fact that they have a bright future and they are already in a position to win a championship, the Boston Celtics are the clear favorites to win their 18th championship first. However, that could change. The Lakers are accustomed to bringing stars to their roster. If they are set on winning now, they could still find a way to compete for a championship in the near future.
