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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 strengths heading into 2017-18 season

By Anthony Santillo

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 9: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts his head on the shoulder of head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers as he waits to check back into the game with rest of his teammates D'Angelo Russell #1 Julius Randle #30 and Larry Nance Jr. #7 during the second half of the basketball game against Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center April 9, 2017, in Los Angeles, 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. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 9: Jordan Clarkson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts his head on the shoulder of head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers as he waits to check back into the game with rest of his teammates D'Angelo Russell #1 Julius Randle #30 and Larry Nance Jr. #7 during the second half of the basketball game against Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center April 9, 2017, in Los Angeles, 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. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers have tampering charges filed against them by Indiana Pacers
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 07: Los Angeles Lakers president of basketball operations Earvin “Magic” Johnson (L) and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka 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) /

Tradeable Assets

After an offseason full of trade and free agent rumors, the Lakers only really made one trade that changed the outlook of the team.

They traded third-year guard D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Nets for Brook Lopez and a late 1st round pick. This trade, at first, was questionable but made sense in the long run after realizing that we got rid of an absurd Mozgov contract and gained an expiring Lopez contract.

The Lakers also selected Kyle Kuzma with that draft pick, which could end up being one of the biggest steals in the entire draft. What the Lakers didn’t do this offseason, which could prove as a very smart decision come February’s trade deadline, was trade their young assets, with exception to Russell, of course.

This was a smart decision on the Lakers end for a couple reasons, one being that the young guys like Ingram, Randle, and Ball get another year together without having a superstar to defer to. This means more freedom for them to operate the way they want to and not have to worry about someone getting upset about touches. This way their development doesn’t get stunted or contained by an already known superstar.

Another reason is we now have players other teams will want to acquire when the trade deadline rolls around. By not giving in to teams like the Pacers demands for all our youth for their superstar, we now can be in serious trade talks. Especially for teams whose offseason moves might not have panned out the way they expected and need to make some changes before everything goes awry.

Teams like the Thunder or the Cavaliers could look to get assets for guys who might be walking in the offseason. Even someone like the Timberwolves might be looking to shop Andrew Wiggins if the team isn’t performing up to standards come February.

Heading into an offseason where the Lakers don’t have a single first-round pick, making valuable trades will be a big part in their future. Lakers also have guys coming up on contract years like Lopez, Caldwell-Pope, and Randle so they will be playing even harder trying to get a long-term deal this offseason. Don’t be surprised if this Lakers roster looks different come February.

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