Lakers: Annual NBA GM Survey Includes Notable Lakers
By Alex Vejar
For all those basketball nerds out there, the NBA recently released its annual GM survey. But this year, there’s a surprise: It actually includes Los Angeles Lakers players.
The most glowing mention was that of point guard and 2015 No. 2 overall pick D’Angelo Russell. He was tied with fourth among all NBA general managers as the player most likely to have a breakout season. The player tied with Russell? Andrew Wiggins of the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves.
Russell, along with Wiggins, received 6.9 percent of the vote. Phoenix Suns guard, Devin Booker came in first in that category, with 31 percent of the vote.
Russell has played quite well during the preseason, so it’s no surprise that GMs are giving him some love in this preseason. Also, it’s Russell’s second year in the NBA, so he’s already expected to add skills to his game that should help him impact the team much more.
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The Lakers also received votes from some GMs who listed the teams they felt would make the biggest improvement in 2016-17. The T-Wolves finished first with 56.7 percent of the vote, but the fact that some managers even mentioned the Lakers is interesting.
LA could have been mentioned for one of two reasons: Either GMs believe in new head coach Luke Walton and the overall growth of the team’s young core, or the bar is set so low for the Lakers that any improvement over last year’s franchise record-low 17-win season deserves a mention.
Ingram got some love from as well. Some serious love. Ten percent of them said he would win Rookie of the Year. This might be even more glowing than Russell potentially having a breakout year. Philadelphia 76ers sort-of rookie Joel Embiid also received 10 percent of the vote.
Speaking of Ingram, 6.7 percent of GMs said he would be the best player in five years.
Rookie center Ivica Zubac received some votes as a player who may have been a steal at his draft position. Zubac has already shown signs of potentially being a very good player, with his polished game and willingness to be coached.
GMs also voted for a pair from the Lakers’ coaching staff. Walton was cited by 3.3 percent as the coach who will make the biggest impact this season. Associate head coach Brian Shaw received votes for the best assistant coach in the NBA.
Next: D'Angelo Russell Aiming for Most Improved Player
Do you agree with their picks? Any Lakers get snubbed? Tweet me @AlexVReporting or tweet @TheLakeShowLife.