Conclusion:
What does all of this say about the current season, and what does it mean for the team going forward?
The number one takeaway should be that when the team’s best players were healthy, the team performed at a significantly higher level than is generally recognized. That should provide a measure of hope not only for the front office but also for Lakers fans, and means that the season was not a complete failure.
As a result, there is no need to give up and start over. The progress made by Kuzma, Ingram and Ball should be encouraging, and LeBron is still at the top of his offensive game. A possible black cloud is the blood clot that was recently discovered in Ingram’s upper arm. It is too soon to know how well his body will respond to treatment.
The strategy of the front office remains the same as it has been since Magic took control. They will try again this summer to add one or two more All-Star quality players to the roster. Magic believes such a move is essential in order to produce a champion.
Yes, any team would love to add All-Stars to its roster. But this obsession with star power, often at the expense of player development, might be a mistake. It is the opinion here that the young core should be kept intact. If the Lakers can sign a star, great! But if not, adding solid complementary players would be the wisest path.
There is no question that Magic and Rob will be tested this summer. The potential changes they make to the coaching staff, the players they select in the draft, and the players they add in free agency or trade will be crucial to the long-term success of the franchise. The choices they make will go a long way towards establishing their legacy, good or bad.