Lakers: 3 Important Offseason Decisions
Earlier this season, Lakers’ owner Jeanie Buss made impactful personnel changes. Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak are out, Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka are in. Here are three areas they should focus on this offseason.
After striking out in free agency and making dreadful decisions with cap space in recent years, the Los Angeles Lakers appear ready to turn a corner. With new President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson and new GM Rob Pelinka at the helm, important decisions need to be made this summer.
To return the team to glory, they must draft well. They must make impressive pitches to free agents and they have to clear cap space so that they will be able to offer a max contract to one or two star players.
The Draft
The Lakers could end up with a top 3 draft pick if the lottery goes in their favor. If the pick falls outside the top 3, they lose it to Philadelphia. However, they will also have a late first-round pick acquired from the Houston Rockets in the Lou Williams trade.
Most experts agree that 3 draft prospects stand out from the rest. The Lakers seem to have their eye on Lonzo Ball, who grew up in the LA area. If he gets snatched up by another team, that still leaves Markelle Fultz and Josh Jackson as potential targets if they keep their pick. Any of these three would be a welcome addition to Luke Walton’s team and could make an immediate impact.
As for the late first round pick, it will probably fall to around 27th or 28th. The Lakers have actually drafted quite well in recent years. They could find another diamond in the rough this summer. Magic and Pelinka will need to consider what the team will need heading into next season. They’ll need to be out there looking at available players. Someone like Kentucky’s Bam Adebayo could be a powerful post presence. Syracuse’s Tyler Lydon could fill the stretch-4 void (assuming Randle and Nance, Jr. don’t suddenly become legitimate threats from beyond the arc).
Free agency
This brings us to free agency, where the Lakers have not had any luck in recent years. Magic would be wise to target Blake Griffin, who may finally want to leave the Clippers if they have yet another disappointing post-season. Another notable name is Gordon Hayward, who could exercise his player option. Paul George, who the Lakers hope to obtain in 2018, has said he would like to play with Hayward. Jrue Holiday will be an unrestricted free agent. They could use him at point guard assuming Russell stays at the 2, and Clarkson comes off the bench.
There are many options, and considering how poorly the Lakers have done attracting big names in recent memory, they may be due for a home-run. Last summer, they signed Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng to massive four-year contracts. Both have had very little impact on the team. They must make better decisions this time around, and they need cap space to offer these potential targets.
Clearing cap space
The third thing the front office needs to focus on is cap space. They need to have room to sign someone who will make the team better. They also need to make sure there is room to sign Paul George when he becomes a free agent next summer. George is rumored to be fed up in Indiana, and he grew up a huge fan of the Lakers, Magic, and Kobe Bryant.
So how will they clear up cap space? They really need to focus on one thing. Get rid of Mozgov or Deng’s huge contract. It is very unlikely that other teams will be eager to take them on. The best way to move them would be to include them in a deal involving other players. It will certainly not be easy, but this has to be something they focus on to better the future.
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There is also another option involving George. If the Pacers are worried that he will leave in free agency next summer, they may look to trade him. This would ensure that they don’t lose their star player for nothing. The Lakers’ front office can explore different trade scenarios, including trading the top-3 pick, assuming they keep it.
Sure, it would be great to add another piece to the promising young core. However, if they could flip the pick for an established star, it would be even better. They wouldn’t have to give up as much of the core they already have in place. They wouldn’t have to gut the roster to get George, only to leave him with no good help. High draft picks are worth much more before the actual choice is made.
Although getting George this summer would be great, the Lakers must be patient. Considering he will be a free-agent next summer, they shouldn’t give up too much for him. The Pacers know there’s a good chance he’ll walk, so they would probably be willing to take less to make sure they don’t let him walk nothing.
Next: Ivica Zubac out for the rest of the season
It will be the most exciting offseason in years for Los Angeles’ favorite team. On May 16th, the ping pong balls will fall for better or for worse. Once they know what they’re working with, Magic and Pelinka will get to work, bringing the storied franchise back to relevance.