Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Potential Line-Ups for 2015-16
By Jacob Rude
Mar 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Detroit Pistons forward
Greg Monroe
(10) guards Los Angeles Lakers guard
Wayne Ellington
(2) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Lakers won 93-85. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Worst Case Scenario
PG – Jordan Clarkson
SG – Wayne Ellington
SF – Wesley Johnson
PF – Julius Randle
C – Jordan Hill
Yes, I started you out with the worst possible situation. I figure that I should break you down before building you back up. In this scenario, everything that possibly could go wrong, does. First, the Lakers lose out on their draft pick at the draft lottery, landing in the #6 spot and watching Philadelphia take it. Next, Kobe Bryant‘s rehab has a setback and he isn’t ready come opening night.
In free agency, the Lakers once again swing and miss on players like Gasol, Aldridge, and even Kevin Love and Rajon Rondo. Instead of pursuing Harris, Butler, or any other middling free agents, the Lakers elect to bring in some young players on short-term deals and try again for a big free in 2016, convinced that a combination of Russell Westbrook and the increased salary cap will be enough to lure the UCLA alumni back home. With that, they pick up Jordan Hill‘s option to hope to use him as trade bait.
Sound terrifyingly plausible? Let’s quickly move on.
Next: Best Case Scenario