The Los Angeles Lakers have the fourth-most losses in the NBA, and it is over for any hopes of playoff contention or salvaging any competitive stretches of fighting to get there. Kobe Bryant is on the fence about playing through the All-Star break while Byron Scott is left thinking of the personnel he needs to garner a successful tenure in Los Angeles.
As with most rebuilding teams, it’s officially time for the Lakers to consider moving their veterans aside and allowing their young horses to roam free. It’s important they gear guys like Jordan Clarkson, Ryan Kelly, and Tarik Black up, as they appear to be key components of Jim Buss’ plan to be back at the top in three to four years.
As a true NBA veteran, everyone knows the importance of taking a little time off during the year and staying fresh for championship runs. As mentioned, Kobe Bryant contemplates this decision entering what could be his last season in 2015-16. Even Carlos Boozer has taken a step back, with Scott electing to bring him off the bench.
Boozer is likely to not completely shut it down for the year, but as his minutes decrease, it has opened up playing time for Ryan Kelly and Tarik Black in the frontcourt.
One more move the Lakers should consider is reducing the minutes of Ronnie Price. Price is a hard-working player that earned a spot on the team this summer as a free agent, but he’s definitely no piece to the Lakers’ future. At 31 years of age, he does offer younger players veteran experience and guidance in their NBA journeys.
Even more baffling are the 5.5 points and 3.8 assists that Price averages, some of the lowest averages of any starting NBA point guard.
Price has beat out Jeremy Lin as the Lakers starter, but this move proved better for Lin, who’s most effective as a reserve. Price’s time is cutting into the development of Jordan Clarkson. Price sees valuable minutes in games that are getting away from Los Angeles early and often. All of those times take away Clarkson learning the nuances and finding consistent pace in the NBA game.
While no one is knocking Price for collecting an NBA check, this scenario in Los Angeles may be one of the most underrated reasons that could stunt the growth of their future. Price not only soaks up Clarkson’s minutes, but the team could have used his roster spot for some of their biggest needs like small forward.
Maybe they could have signed Quincy Miller or Jordan Hamilton, both whom tried out for the team at their weakest position.
It’s time for Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak to step in. They have to let Byron Scott know that the time is now to build their youth’s confidence, mainly in their talented rookie, Jordan Clarkson. Price can still get steady minutes, but to continue playing him more than 23 minutes per game with limited production is nearly absurd.
If the Lakers want to present potential free agents with tools to work with, they’d better start with players that are going to be around for the next five years in comparison for the next one or two. Price is a good guy that would be suited for a veteran team in need of an extra guard. Don’t mortgage the future for a limited commodity.