Los Angeles Lakers: Could current squad ever contend?
Los Angeles Lakers fans have been patiently waiting for years for the team to vault from the bottom of the standings back to the top.
It seems the summer of 2018 is when the Los Angeles Lakers‘ front office can make huge moves to make the team a contender once again. But…what if the pieces they have now could be enough? A dream scenario could see the current squad lift the Lakers to the top.
The rumors haven’t stopped. We all know there’s a good chance Paul George joins the Purple & Gold next summer. We’ve seen rumors of LeBron James, DeMarcus Cousins, and even Russell Westbrook possibly taking their talents to Los Angeles. But, what if the Lakers were to have a little magic happen this coming season?
We have reason to believe the Lakers will be better than they have been in years during the 2017-18 season. Lonzo Ball will run the offense more efficiently, Brook Lopez will be an upgrade at center, and free-agent acquisition Kentavius Caldwell-Pope will produce positive results on both ends of the floor.
But what if the team gels into something unexpected, and unstoppable?
Los Angeles Lakers
It all hinges on the development of Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, and Jordan Clarkson. If Ingram improves as much as he did after the All-Star break last year, he can be a very dominant player, especially with his extra strength coming into this season. Randle is capable of putting up triple-doubles, and he put in a lot of work over the summer conditioning his body. Clarkson could have a ceiling higher than most think, and could develop into a serious scoring threat,
We could also see a surprising season from guys such as Tyler Ennis, Kyle Kuzma, and Ivica Zubac. Having depth and flexibility with the roster is a must.
Imagine for a moment, this coming season happens to be the one fans have been waiting for. Ingram emerges as one of the best two-way wings in the league. Randle puts up better numbers than Draymond Green almost every game. Clarkson has a huge breakout season as the sixth man, sinking buckets left and right while becoming a defensive stopper.
Imagine Ball’s success with UCLA carrying over into the NBA. He’s getting double-digit assists and scoring and shooting a high percentage from beyond the arc. Caldwell-Pope fitss perfectly alongside him, forming a deadly backcourt. Hey, maybe Luol Deng makes up for last year with some stellar play.
Maybe Ennis, Kuzma, and Zubac play much better than expected.
It’s always been said that a team needs at least one established, veteran star player to even sniff the NBA Finals. However, if guys like Ingram and Randle suddenly reach their full potential, Clarkson is scoring like a Sixth Man of the Year candidate, and Ball’s passing gets the whole thing going, the Lakers may already have what they need!
This is a dream scenario. The Lakers will most likely need the services of a Paul George and a LeBron in order to hang their next championship banner.
But it’s the offseason, and it’s fun to imagine. What if this team just gels and excels, and far exceeds all expectations? Imagine thinking “Ehh…yeah I guess it would be cool if Paul George comes.” Imagine thinking, “We’ve got something really special here and don’t need these superstars to join our team because we’ve already got stars now.”
I know what you’re thinking. The current squad would be lucky to make the playoffs. And you’re probably right. But crazier things have happened. Maybe the Lakers emerge as a legitimate threat this coming season.
The dream scenario I’m describing is not likely. However, the team looks poised to be better, and even more importantly, FUN to watch!
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Do we need PG-13 and another superstar? Or could this squad grow into a contender in the next few years? Let us know what you think in the comments below.