June 11, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A general view as fans gather outside before game six of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals between the Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Many would consider the Lakers one of the top franchises not only in the NBA, but in all sports across the globe. They’ve set a precedent for winning titles and maintaining excellence (sans the current season). Oddly enough, however, is that the Lakers did not have their own practice facility, instead renting out the Toyota Center, which is far from modern.
However, according to Mike Bresnahan of the LA Times, the Lakers have plans to build a new practice arena.
The Lakers are planning to build a new training center within a quarter-mile of their current El Segundo location, The Times has learned.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) April 2, 2014
Lakers looking for something more modern...not to mention eye-catching for future free agents. Clippers' facility, btw, is state-of-the-art.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) April 2, 2014
Lakers would also be owners of this facility (no date on when it would happen). Won't be tenants like now at Toyota Center (owned by AEG).
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) April 2, 2014
It’s no coincidence that the Lakers are attempting to grab the attention of free agents with one of the biggest summers in franchise history just a few short months away. With a young prospect likely to come in and possibly set up the franchise for the future as well as a whole host of free agents likely to make their way through the Lakers offices come June and July, there seems like no better time than the present to unveil such plans.