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3 Questions for the Lakers Front Office

By Ed Schrenzel

Dec 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Los Angeles Lakers won 100-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Los Angeles Lakers won 100-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Should They Remain Patient and Stay the Course?

Jan 10, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton (right) talks with guard D'Angelo Russell (1) and guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. The Portland Trail Blazers won 108-87. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton (right) talks with guard D’Angelo Russell (1) and guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. The Portland Trail Blazers won 108-87. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

In the offseason, management essentially decided to hand the keys to the team engine over to the Baby Lakers. That’s why they signed or traded for the likes of Mozgov, Deng and Calderon rather than pursuing higher-priced big-name stars. They sought veterans who could help mentor the youngsters while not demanding too many touches that could hinder their development.

Mitch Kupchak also understood how difficult it is in today’s NBA to rebuild a team from scratch. He learned first-hand in previous seasons that premiere free agents do not ordinarily sign with bottom echelon teams. Instead, a team must first have the nucleus of an attractive roster, presumably built through the draft, as Golden State, San Antonio and Oklahoma City all did. He hoped that the growth of the team’s young players will help attract free agents in the future.

Next: 3 Trade Targets at SG

Kupchak knows that rebuilding can be a slow, often painful process. His public statements indicate that he believes in and remains committed to the Baby Lakers. The challenge for him is to determine whether that is, indeed, a winning road to pursue, and then to maintain the patience necessary to stay on that course while losses pile up and fan frustration grows.

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