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3 South Bay Lakers who could be in the NBA rotation next year

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Jay Huff #30, Carmelo Anthony #7, and Jemerrio Jones #50 of the Los Angeles Lakers warm up before the game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on December 21, 2021 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images )
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Jay Huff #30, Carmelo Anthony #7, and Jemerrio Jones #50 of the Los Angeles Lakers warm up before the game against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on December 21, 2021 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images ) /
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(Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The Los Angeles Lakers are struggling immensely this season and most fans have already given up on the prospects of the team making any sort of noise in the NBA Playoffs this year. At this point, the Lakers are just lucky that the teams behind them are actively tanking as they should not even be in the Play-In Tournament with the way they are playing.

For those fans that have lost hope, looking ahead to the future might be the best thing. The problem there, though, is that the future is still scary. Russell Westbrook is likely going to opt into his player option for next season and all of the same issues this year will carry over to next year.

Instead of bringing in a slew of veterans on minimum deals (because that did not work this year), the Lakers might be better off elevating home-grown talent to the NBA rotation. There have been several success stories from the South Bay Lakers, most notably Alex Caruso.

The South Bay Lakers are also thriving this season while the Lakers are struggling. South Bay has 27-11 record this season.

The Los Angeles Lakers could elevate three South Bay Lakers, in particular, next season.

It won’t happen this season but with the team likely needing reinforcements next year, Rob Pelinka and co. could very well turn to three specific players in South Bay to provide rotation minutes next year.

None of these players are obviously going to raise the ceiling of the team but if the Lakers can get just one Alex Caruso-type player out of these three in the next few years then that would be a massive win. There is no way of knowing if a player will become something special, though, without giving them a shot.

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