Despite how it might seem, the Los Angeles Lakers are positioned nicely for the future (under the assumption they keep their draft pick). With two first-round picks, cap flexibility, and some young talent to build around, the future might not be so dim as the Lakers will seemingly turn a corner this off-season.
Going into this off-season, the NBA Draft is a key factor in the rebuild. Not only do the Lakers need to retain their pick, but these picks will shape and define that future. Get them right and you (potentially) have seven players within their first two years together next season. Get them wrong and you’ve stunted the growth of the franchise.
At the same time, the Lakers’ cap flexibility lets them not only aim for the likes of Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge, but younger players like Jimmy Butler or Tobias Harris, who could join the potential youth movement with the Lakers.
All of these variables leave tons of possibilities for the Lakers’ starting line-up come opening night of the 2015-16 season. While this type of article has been done before, both potential draft prospects and potential free agents targets have become clearer, giving us at least a somewhat clearer idea of what to expect.
Here are five potential starting line-ups for opening night.
Next: Worst Case Scenario