Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Potential Line-Ups for 2015-16
By Jacob Rude
Mar 27, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, Los Angeles Lakers guard
Jordan Clarkson
(6) drives to the basket as Toronto Raptors forward
Terrence Ross
(31) tries to defend during the first quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 94-83. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Youth Movement
PG – Jordan Clarkson
SG – Kobe Bryant
SF – Caris LeVert
PF – Julius Randle
C – Willie Cauley-Stein
Maybe the Lakers see enough in Clarkson for them to pass on Mudiay at the #4 slot and draft someone like Cauley-Stein. Then, later in the draft, they nab a starting-quality shooting guard/small forward in LeVert from Michigan in a big-time draft steal. Prior to his foot injury that prematurely ended his season, LeVert was a consensus lottery pick, likely a top-ten pick, and had a chance at getting into the top five discussion. Since his injury, he’s slowly fallen down draft boards and the more he CAN’T do in pre-draft workouts, the more likely this is to happen.
With their quartet of freshman and sophomores in the starting line-up, the Lakers don’t feel the need to overpay for a free agent and, when prices are driven up by agents who know the cap is rising, the Lakers don’t budge and hang tight with their youngsters. The result is a ton of potential, a ton of reasons to be excited and, more importantly for the future, a ton of future cap space.
Next: Screw Your Draft Picks!