3 Step Plan To Fix The Lakers

Jul 24, 2014; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak during a press conference at theToyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

2. Build Up and Hold Strong

In order for the Lakers to be successful for years to come, the Lakers front office must always have an eye on the long-term future. Fortunately, the future is bright. On May 19, the NBA draft lottery takes place, meaning the Lakers will know where their treasured top pick lands. This pick has the potential of bringing a future superstar to the Lakers for years to come.

The Lakers can then build around him, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle. As well as this undetermined top pick, the Lakers have the #27 and #34 overall picks, adding depth and talent, two things the Lakers absolutely need. Sorry Wesley Johnson and Carlos Boozer, you both aren’t helping the rebuild.

The Lakers can’t solely rely on the draft, they need to thrive via trades and free agents signings. The Lakers have proven they can successfully achieve both and they have shown it in recent history. Remember the Pau Gasol trade back in 2008? The Lakers traded the incompetent Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton (who had off court-issues), Aaron McKie, the draft rights to Marc Gasol, and two first round picks for a Spaniard whose been criticized as “soft” by the media. That trade was a complete steal. As well as acquiring Gasol, smart signings in free agency such as Metta World Peace and Derek Fisher have greatly contributed to the Lakers back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.

Yes, Rajon Rondo and Kevin Love are available as free agents this offseason and have been linked to the Lakers, but is it the right solution to go out and get them? Love has a player option on his contract and it will be interesting to see if he opts out after the Cavs finish the year. On top of that, will the Lakers overpay to get these stars? It doesn’t make much sense to sign a 29-year-old point guard in Rondo to a max deal because that will hamper Jordan Clarkson’s growth. Love would also cut into the playing time of the developing Julius Randle.

A starting lineup of Rondo, an aging Bryant, Love, Randle, and a future draft pick looks better on paper than it does in real life. This lineup would definitely win more games than last years’ squad, but soon Bryant will retire, leaving Rondo and Love out to lead the Lakers to the promised land in the rough Western Conference. Frankly, this tandem would not be good enough to win a championship. I’m not even sure if they are even a playoff team. Rondo is a pass-first point guard looking for his teammates to score, and Love cannot be relied on by himself to score and lead his team to wins.

See the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2008 to 2014.  Each Western Conference squad in the playoffs from the high-flying Golden State Warriors to the Anthony Davis-led New Orleans Pelicans would, in my opinion, would have better rosters than this hypothetical Lakers roster. I believe the Lakers should consider building pieces for the 2016 free agent class, which includes Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Davis (who is restricted).

Next: The Real Problem Must Be Resolved