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Los Angeles Lakers: Four reasons they can make NBA playoffs

By Asha Doucet

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 07: Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Earvin "Magic" Johnson (L) and head coach Luke Walton of the Lakers talk during a 2017 Summer League game between the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Clippers won 96-93 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 07: Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Earvin "Magic" Johnson (L) and head coach Luke Walton of the Lakers talk during a 2017 Summer League game between the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Clippers won 96-93 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
EL SEGUNDO, CA – JUNE 28: Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers introduce Brook Lopez at a press conference on June 28, 2017 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Brook Lopez gives them a formidable big man and high scoring in the front court.

Los Angeles received Brook Lopez and the No. 27 draft pick from a trade with the Brooklyn Nets that sent D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov in exchange. The Lakers’ real motivation for the trade was to get Mozgov’s four-year $64 million dollar contract off their books.

In doing so, Los Angeles had to let go of Russell, making him a casualty of doing business in the NBA. The move sparked mixed reactions from Laker fans who either hated the loss of Russell or welcomed it.

But despite some of the backlash, Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka moved forward with their new regime and the addition of Lopez alone gives the Lakers a formidable front court. Last season Lopez averaged 20.5 points per game on 47.4 percent shooting and 34.6 percent shooting from three. Lopez’s ability to score consistently and spread the floor will go a long way towards elevating Los Angeles’ status and ultimately help them win games.

In just a short time with his new team, Lopez has already impressed Head Coach Luke Walton. On an episode of Zach Lowe’s podcast, Walton discussed his excitement over Lopez and how he will help the Lakers this season.

"“It’s exciting because the spacing, at least on paper right now,” said Walton. “There’s spacing we didn’t have last year, which will allow Julius (Randle) to do what he does best..[Lopez] was in the gym the other day. I was blown away. I knew he could shoot threes and he hit a bunch last year, 130-something, but when you sit there and watch him shoot threes, they’re beautiful.”"

Lopez’s numbers from last season are nice, but it’s clear he’s won over the coaching staff and will have a great impact on L.A.’s offense.

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