Epilogue on the Los Angeles Lakers:
During the 2021 NBA Playoffs as well as the offseason, Los Angeles Lakers players, coaches, and front office staff must learn from these four teams if they want to give themselves a good shot at returning to winning championships.
Obviously, injuries played a large role, much of which likely caused by the Lakers having the shortest offseason in NBA history of just over two months between their Finals victory in October and opening night in December.
With a long offseason for the team occurring this summer, and presumably only Marc Gasol and Kostas Antetokounmpo (if Greece qualifies) playing in the Tokyo Olympics, the players should be rested and ready for a hopefully healthier 2021-2022 season.
It is important that the Los Angeles Lakers learn, evolve, improve, and upgrading the team, as they should be back at the top of the NBA next year. With Schröder’s future being an unknown, I believe that the Lakers’ first step this offseason should be getting a stud sharpshooter at PG who acts as a third scoring option.
With free agents like Kawhi Leonard, Mike Conley, Victor Oladipo, Jarrett Allen, DeMar DeRozan, Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Lonzo Ball (reunion time?) all on the market, the Lakers have options, not only at the point guard position.
Also, there is a singular point guard who has had trade rumors circulating their name that is worth trading for.
Recent reports of the generational talent, loyal guy, great teammate, leader, all-star, and Hall of Fame PG veteran in their prime, Damian Lillard, have surfaced about him being upset with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The possibility of a blockbuster trade involving Dame is exciting to think about, and that would instantly make them my Western Conference favorites.
The biggest takeaway from these Conference Finals is that team basketball still reigns, and the Lakers will need to make some adjustments for next season’s campaign.