The Los Angeles Lakers good offseason was recognized by NBA.com’s David Aldridhe, who had the Lakers in his top-10.
The Los Angeles Lakers were rather busy this offseason. While they weren’t big players in free agency, they were busy rebuilding the infrastructure and foundation of the franchise. With a new regime of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka in place, the Lakers are looking to really push their rebuild forward.
With new management in place, the goal was clear; open up cap space and let the young guys play. Johnson took over days before the NBA Trade deadline in February and immediately put that plan into place. Pelinka joined later on and has continued to push that plan forward.
The Lakers have an excellent young nucleus of players. Brandon Ingram is the crown jewel of that group, as the Lakers are high on his potential. He was deemed untouchable this offseason in trade discussions, and rightfully so. The Laker turned down many overtures for him as they believe he can be a part of their foundation.
Los Angeles Lakers
In addition to Ingram, the Lakers also have talented young players in Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr., Ivica Zubac, and Jordan Clarkson. The Lakers had to subtract from that young nucleus to clear cap space prior to the 2017 NBA Draft.
The Lakers traded point guard D’Angelo Russell and center Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez and the No. 27 pick. Many fans were unhappy about Russell being traded, but it was a move that made sense. Moving Mozgov’s contract was a must for the Lakers to be players in free agency next year, and they already had a replacement at point guard.
The 2017 NBA Draft provided the Lakers with even more impressive young talent. UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball was the cream of the crop. The Lakers made Ball the second overall pick, the first of four selections overall.
With the 27th pick acquired from the Nets, the Lakers selected Utah power forward Kyle Kuzma. Kuzma looks to be a player after his great performances in the Las Vegas Summer League. No. 30 overall pick, Villanova shooting guard Josh Hart, injured his ankle in Las Vegas but is the type of player that can help the Lakers right away. No. 42 overall pick, Indiana center Thomas Bryant, has the potential to develop into a stretch-5 and has otherworldly measurables that had scouts salivating.
Most of the Lakers moves this offseason were made prior to and during the draft. Los Angeles was relatively quiet in free agency, with their biggest move being the signing of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Overall, it was an offseason the Lakers should be very happy about. It received some grades throughout the basketball world as well. ESPN gave them a grade of A- for their offseason. Now, NBA.com’s David Aldridge has placed the Lakers in this top-10 offseasons.
Here is part of what Aldridge had to say about the Lakers offseason.
"The only thing that mattered to new team president Magic Johnson and new GM Rob Pelinka was getting out from under Mozgov’s $64 million contract. Everything else this summer was gravy. Without the Mozgov albatross going forward, the Lakers will have room to go after two max level free agents in the summer of 2018, with many around the league believing they already have the inside track to Paul George and LeBron James. Until then, L.A. can delight in the nightly highlights that Ball will provide on the floor. He’s got once-in-a-decade passing ability, and he’s not afraid of the moment or the man in front of him. He shot the ball well in college; teams will make him do it again and again his rookie season. Eventually he’ll make enough to make defenses play him honest — and when that happens, he makes the jump to point guard light speed. KCP will be auditioning for a major deal in ’18, so L.A. should get his best work. Kuzma looked like a major steal during Summer League in Vegas. Still a year away, but the Lakers are going to be must-see TV again real soon."
There is no denying that the Lakers have improved their roster this offseason. It is unlikely that they improved enough to steal a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference, but they are moving in the right direction.
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They are two potential franchise cornerstones in Ball and Ingram. If they are able to keep improving this season and land one or two max free agents next season, the Lakers will be in business.