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Los Angeles Lakers: Why a youth movement should be embraced

By Andrew Stevens III

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on April 11, 2018 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 11: Julius Randle #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on April 11, 2018 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images /

So much has been made about the Los Angeles Lakers signing max free agents during the summer. As great as it would be to add a star during free agency, it might be even better to develop a championship team from within.

Ever since Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss hired Magic Johnson as president of basketball operations and Rob Pelinka as general manager, I have been incredibly optimistic about the future of the Lakers. They have been active during free agency and at the trade deadline and have given nothing but their best for Laker Nation.

When Magic and Rob arrived on the scene midway through the 2016-17 NBA season, they came into a situation that included two No. 2 overall draft picks in D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram along with a team with talented young player mixed in with veterans to aid in the development of the young core.

After a few roster tweaks, they have turned this team into one of the most promising young teams in the league led by arguably their two most important players, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball. Even though all of these young players have areas where they can improve on, I still believe that it is not necessarily crucial that the Lakers add two max free agents during the offseason.

If you look at the young core right now it consists of five players; Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Julius Randle. At this point, I think that Julius Randle has shown that he is worth keeping around long-term for the Lakers as he averaged 16.1 points per game, which tied for the team lead. He also added 8.0 rebounds per game, and towards the 2nd half of the season, was essentially a 20 point and 10 rebound per game scorer every night.

Once he realized that his bully ball style of offense could not be countered, he used that to his advantage and at one point was one of the hottest players in the league. I’m sure there are teams who would kill to have a player like Julius on their team.

Randle is just the tip of the iceberg for why the Lakers should embrace a youth movement.

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