Los Angeles Lakers: A Mysterious Future
By Chris Walton
The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a rocky start to begin this season. Dropping their first two games at a margin of 19 points per game is indicative of their struggles. They have also allowed over 100 points in both games. Devastating injuries are piling up, such as losing Julius Randle to a broken leg for the year, and the offense is looking lackluster.
Compared to last year’s team, this current Lakers squad makes them suitable for nationally televised action. But it is getting darker and darker for Los Angeles, and all signs point to another season in the lottery, likely keeping their protected pick pending it remaining in the top-five. The Phoenix Suns could possibly acquire the selection if it falls outside of the top-five (thanks to the Steve Nash trade).
If any of the old glory is going to return to Staples Center, then the Lakers must humble themselves and build their team from scratch. A franchise that has relied on blockbuster trades and draft luck will have to develop and mold NBA prospects. The Lakers are currently in the midst of finding an identity. Injuries are cutting into that process, granted, but the long-term outlook must be clearly outlined. Scouting should be the first step, starting with the currently constructed roster.
As players like Nick Young, Xavier Henry, Ryan Kelly, and the aforementioned Julius Randle get healthy, the front office and Byron Scott must provide them their roles. The abilities of each player are well-documented from prior performances. Young and Henry may be the Lakers best offensive threats outside of Kobe Bryant. Kelly and Randle provide the most versatility throughout the whole roster. When all players are healthy and secure time together, the growth must commence. Regardless of status, with each guy not being a superstar, these players will likely lay the foundation to the Lakers’ future.
The goal of Mitch Kupchak and company is to land an NBA superstar once Kobe Bryant hangs his Nikes. Free agency in 2016 is anchored by some guy named Kevin Durant, and it’s no secret that he’s on Kupchak’s wishlist. The biggest problem, which they faced in this year’s free agency, is the uncertainty of the Lakers’ direction by potential signees. It’s quite easy to sell to a superstar a team filled with potential when you can maneuver workable parts.
The dirty little secret is the fact that outside of Kevin Durant in 2016, what other superstar is hitting the open market? Go ahead, I’ll wait.. Rajon Rondo, Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, and LaMarcus Aldridge are all big names that will be available next season. One could argue that these guys will likely return to their respective teams. Los Angeles will have to throw some serious money at each guy, but aside from Rondo, it’s hard to pry a player from teams that are making playoff runs to a struggling squad.
The trios of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh and Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett are anomalies. Their unique situations of being established veterans can make for the easy acquisition of pieces around them. With the Lakers, it’s not easy to sell players a combination of Kobe Bryant, Carlos Boozer, and Jeremy Lin (pending a return after expired contracts). The next best thing is compile solid young talent to support an established star. At this point, that guy will no longer be Kobe, but no one knows who it is going forward.