This offseason may not have seen any huge splashes in free-agency for the Los Angeles Lakers, as they are focused on preparing for next summer in a big way. However, some significant changes have been made to the team. Here’s a look at what kind of product they’ll be putting on the floor this upcoming season.
Firstly, the 2017-18 NBA season will be the first full season with Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka heading up the front office for the Los Angeles Lakers. This alone has brought stability to the franchise after a few years of family drama getting in the way, and possibly even driving free-agents away.
With Magic in the room for future meetings, there will be a much more positive, winning vibe. Regarded as one of the best to ever play basketball, many players have much respect for him. Along with his signature smile, he will be capable of a great pitch to get these players to join the Lakers.
Players who were on the team last season, but will not be this upcoming season, include D’Angelo Russell, Timofey Mozgov, Nick Young, Lou Williams, Tarik Black, Thomas Robinson, and Marcelo Huertas.
Some new additions to the team include prized rookie Lonzo Ball, taken with the number two pick in the 2017 NBA draft, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brook Lopez, and Kyle Kuzma. There are also still a couple of roster spots to be earned by strong showings from players invited to training camp.
Although Russell was the 2015 number two pick, there have always been questions about his maturity. He did have some impressive games and definitely has potential, but the Lakers have zeroed in on their new “point guard of the future” in Lonzo Ball. Ball has what Magic calls the “it” factor, and seems more serious about basketball.
After a strong Summer League performance, Lakers management and fans are both excited to see the impact he could have on the team. He showed off his very impressive passing ability and showed how he can make his teammates better. His talents lend extremely well to the pace-and-space style of play coach Luke Walton wants to see.
Ball had two triple-doubles in Summer League, which no player has ever done. Although he struggled with his shooting, he had one game with 36 points, and his only really bad game was the first one, which we can chalk up to being nervous. But the passing is why the Lakers want him, and it’s contagious. Other players will be looking to make the extra pass, leading to more open looks for everybody.
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Caldwell-Pope was a steal for the Lakers. After the Pistons acquired Avery Bradley and decided to let KCP go, the free-agency market had already slowed down quite a bit. The Lakers were able to get him on a one-year deal. He will be a fantastic addition to the Lakers’ backcourt, playing alongside Ball. He can hit 3’s, and he can defend. This is exactly what the Lakers were looking for in a shooting guard.
Brook Lopez and the number 27 pick were acquired in a trade for D’Angelo Russell and Mozgov. Lopez is on an expiring contract, and the Lakers were able to get Mozgov’s awful contract off the books in the process. Lopez will be an upgrade at center. Last season, he started to show off his newfound ability to hit 3’s, which fits perfectly into Walton’s system.
Kyla Kuzma was a name many were unfamiliar with until summer league, where he won the Championship game MVP trophy, after teammate Lonzo Ball won the Summer League MVP. If he can play that way in the NBA, Julius Randle and Larry Nance, Jr. better improve their shooting range. Kuzma appears to be a steal taken 27th overall in the draft.
So, last year’s lineup:
D’Angelo Russell, Nick Young, Luol Deng (later Brandon Ingram), Julius Randle, Timofey Mozgov (later Ivica Zubac), Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson 6th and 7th man.
This coming season’s lineup:
Lonzo Ball, Kentavius Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, Brook Lopez, Clarkson 6th man.
In addition to these changes, it appears 2nd year forward Brandon Ingram is ready for a breakout season, 2nd year Center Ivica Zubac will keep getting better backing up Lopez, and 4th year forward Randle will hopefully just keep improving after showing much promise last season.
Clarkson thrived in the 6th man role after Lou Williams was traded last season, so watch for an impressive showing from him as well.
Although next summer is when things can really change in a big way, with the Lakers being linked to players such as Paul George and even LeBron James, this year is going to be fun. The Lakers will be better than last year, and the allure of LA will start to gain strength again.
The Lakers were the champions of the 2017 Summer League. Although it’s just Summer League, it shows promise, and it shows how Magic Johnson and Lonzo Ball are bringing a new, winning, positive atmosphere to the team.
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Get ready for the regular season. It’s going to be the most fun the Lakers have been since Kobe tore his achilles tendon. I think the changes made are leading the team back towards to top of the totem pole. Will Magic Johnson’s “magic” work this time? Let us know what you think in the comments below!