Lakers: 5 Things That Must Happen in 2016-17 Season

Mar 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) handles the ball as Brooklyn Nets guard Donald Sloan (right) defends during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) handles the ball as Brooklyn Nets guard Donald Sloan (right) defends during the first quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
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Rebuilding the Lakers Brand

If the Lakers are able to accomplish the previous four goals, then they will certainly be on their way to this achieving this one as well: rebuilding the Lakers’ brand.

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It will not be an overnight process that will change right away, but one of the league’s most successful franchises needs to begin to turn the corner and get back to contending in the Western Conference.

While the Lakers’ brand is not truly ruined thanks to their historic past success and beneficial geographic location, it has clearly suffered in the past few years.

Some believe that the Black Mamba’s intensity and difficult personality drove away potential free agent signings (Example: Dwight Howard) and made it hard for the Lakers to attract top players to join the team.

However, I believe top players have been hesitant to come to Los Angeles due to the previous lack of major talent and unsteady coaching situation. Both of those concerns have hopefully been addressed with the hiring of Luke Walton and the drafting of multiple lottery picks in the last few seasons.

As the roster begins to grow together and Walton proves his interim coaching success with the Warriors was no fluke last year, the team will be well on their way to start their journey back to relevance.

Next: LA D-Fenders Have a New Coach in Former Laker Coby Karl

The Lakers hope that an improvement this year will do wonders in their quest for a major free agent signing next summer and in years to come.