Following some major offseason changes, the Los Angeles Lakers are headed for a 2016-17 season full of intrigue. Here are five bold predictions for the campaign to come.
As awful as they’ve been over the last few seasons, there’s a lot to like about this Los Angeles Lakers team heading into the 2016-17 campaign. I mean, it’s hard to be that bad with so many top prospects on one roster, unless you’re the Philadelphia 76ers.
Despite the upside, it’s going to difficult to predict what could be in the near future for the Lakers. The talent is there for them to win at a consistent clip, but a lack of polish and experience could play a significant role in hindering the franchise’s progress.
Still, I believe big things are on the horizon.
That’s why I’ve put together this list of “bold” predictions for the Lakers’ 2016-17 season. They’re meant to push the limits of logic, so make sure to take them all with a grain of salt. It’s still early in the process, and there’s a lot of basketball left to be played before the regular season arrives.
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Here are five bold predictions for what the Lakers will accomplish this season.
Next: Zubac Starts Half The Season At Center
Zubac Starts Half The Season At Center
On one hand, there’s a lot of evidence leaning towards Ivica Zubac not being ready to contribute for the Lakers as a rookie. He’s only 19 years old, has a thin frame and is still extremely raw after being a second round pick back in June.
However, based on what we saw during NBA Summer League, he’s eager to impress.
Zubac turned a lot of heads this summer while averaging 10.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. With an NBA workout program hopefully working its magic on his frame, I’d expect the Croatia native to put up a real fight for playing time during training camp and the preseason.
In fact, I think he could push for some starts when the regular season rolls around. He may even make the Lakers’ decision to sign Timofey Mozgov to a massive contract look even worse than it already does. We’ve seen his early potential — imagine what he can become with some added range and strength down low?
Los Angeles knew it was getting a high-upside prospect in Zubac. However, it appears he could be paying dividends earlier than expected as just another piece to the Lakers’ promising young puzzle.
Next: Swaggy P Is Shown The Door
Lakers Actually Find A Trade Partner For Young
Since the end of the 2015-16 season, the Lakers have been searching for a team to pawn Nick Young off on. The capable small forward has had an up-and-down time in Los Angeles, but his age and inconsistency have soured the team on the eccentric 31-year-old scorer.
Part of why they likely haven’t found a suitor up to this point is because they’re expected to release him if no trade comes to fruition. However, in an attempt to be bold, I’m predicting that some desperate team comes along in the next month or so and gives up a future second round pick for the outspoken veteran.
On top of his age and inconsistency, the Lakers will also benefit from removing him and the beef that developed between him and D’Angelo Russell. Obviously the youngster was to blame, but Los Angeles wants to get younger and can’t afford for there to be animosity towards the former No. 2 overall pick.
I know Young said they’d “work it out” (via the LA Daily News’ Mark Medina), but the issues will linger as long as he’s in town.
It’s been fun with Young on the roster, but all good things must come to an end. The Lakers will find a trade partner for the veteran, and send him somewhere else where his NBA career can fade.
Next: A Young Star Emerges In LA
Russell Emerges As A Star
Okay, maybe this isn’t the boldest of predictions….
Still, I think it’s worth mentioning here considering how many skeptics there are when it comes to D’Angelo Russell’s potential. He had an up-and-down rookie season and faced a lot of scrutiny due to his breaking of the bro code. However, there’s no denying his natural talents.
Just look at the damage he did during Summer League, when he averaged 21.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. It was an impressive showing, and one that signaled the blossoming of one of the league’s top prospects. So what can we expect from Russell during his sophomore season?
Honestly, you can expect him to emerge as a star.
Based on the flashes during his rookie campaign and the film he put together at Ohio State, the physical tools are undeniable. He’s a terrific shooter, excellent athlete and instinctive playmaker who gave us all glimpses of his potential in spurts last season. This summer confirmed for me that he’s ready to let loose on the rest of the NBA.
Especially with Kobe Bryant enjoying retirement, Russell will have every opportunity to steal the show in 2016-17. I’m confident he’ll do just that.
Next: Clarkson Earns An All-Star Appearance
Clarkson Earns An All-Star Appearance
Even with Brandon Ingram and Russell on the roster, I’m most excited to see what Jordan Clarkson can do with Kobe Bryant out of the picture. The former undrafted free agent has made the most of his opportunity with the Lakers, going from unheralded prospect to intriguing young playmaker.
I’m expecting him to take the next step in his maturation this season, emerging as a legitimate All-Star candidate.
Realistically, he’s the Lakers’ most reliable scoring option at this very moment. He’s also got an outstanding young point guard ready to help him shine, and an intriguing rookie wing who can take the defense’s focus off of him. What I think will really make the difference is the presence of Luke Walton, though.
The new Lakers head coach is more than capable of bringing out the best in Clarkson. He helped turn the Golden State Warriors into a record-breaking squad last season, and should be the driving force behind a resurgence for the purple and gold in the next few years.
The Lakers paid Clarkson to be a star this offseason, signing him to a four-year, $50 million deal. If he continues to improve and capitalizes on the abilities he was born with, he’ll be getting plenty of All-Star votes come February.
Next: A Trip To The Postseason For The Lakers?
Lakers Sneak Into The Playoffs
Last season, the Western Conference’s eighth-seeded Houston Rockets finished the regular season with a 41-41 record.
It’s become clear the West is no longer as dominant as it once was. Only a few years ago, it would have taken significantly higher than a .500 win percentage to book a trip to the playoffs. But that’s the way life in the NBA is today, and it could work out in the Lakers’ favor.
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Yes, this team has been awful over the last few seasons. In the last two years, they haven’t even hit that 41-win total that got Houston to the postseason in 2016. For such a storied franchise, they’ve got a lot of work to do in order to get back to being among the NBA’s most respected.
I think they’ll take a step in the right direction in 2016-17.
They’ve got an exciting group of high-upside players highlighted by Clarkson, Russell and Ingram. Tie in the intriguing young talents of Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr. and Zubac, and this team could be playoff bound — if they all live up to their potential.
Having a quality head coach in Walton will certainly help, too.
It’s going to be a bumpy road as the Lakers continue to suffer through the pains of a rebuild. However, I think the departure of Kobe might actually work in this team’s favor, giving the youngsters an opportunity to steal the spotlight.
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You probably didn’t hear it here first, but I’m calling it anyway: The Lakers sneak into the playoffs in 2016-17 as the West’s eighth seed.