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Lakers: Analyzing the good and bad of December 22 start date

By Justin Hickey

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 20, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Two of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 20, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

KCP market and resting time

The free agency period is set to begin shortly and teams will be ready to pounce fast. With limited options, teams that are ready to win-now will be after the top free agents. Any other season, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would be middle of the pack.

But with a weak free agent class, he becomes one of the better options. So teams might be willing to hand him a good sized contract. This could effect the Lakers effort in keeping him.

KCP was the third best player for the Lakers in the finals and put his awful start to the season behind him. He gained confidence as the season went on and became a very important player to the team. His loss be a tough one to replace.

There are teams that are waiting for the big 2021 free agent class. So the Lakers may be able to squeeze by and get him back long term. But they need to brace for the possibility of losing him as well.

Which leads straight into the fact of the Lakers possibly being limited to start the year. As LeBron pushes age 36 and coming off the most taxing title run in NBA history. Could he possibly take it easy to start the season and miss a few games?

It’s not out of the question as players and coaches were mentally exhausted in the bubble. Such a quick turnaround time is good for the league revenue, but older players could use a break.

It will be hard to keep James out, even if it means costing a seed or two late in the season. But the Lakers need to make sure they’re cautious with him. Little nagging injuries are not something you want late in the season.

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