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Los Angeles Lakers: Win Vs. Timberwolves A Telling One

ByJackson Sanders|
Mar 25, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) at the end of the game at Target Center. Lakers defeated the Wolves 101-99 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) at the end of the game at Target Center. Lakers defeated the Wolves 101-99 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports

Relatively few eyeballs were likely watching when the Los Angeles Lakers eventually wrapped up a 101-99 overtime win in Minnesota. Both teams participating in that contest had long been eliminated from playoff contention, and both franchises are more invested in ping-pong balls than wins at this point in their respective seasons.

Yet, this overtime clash versus two bottom-feeders was a telling one for the Los Angeles Lakers, and perhaps not in the way most would expect after a victory of any sort.

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Long story short, this game showed how far behind in the rebuilding process the once-mighty Lakers are compared to their counterparts at the bottom of the Western Conference. Yes, even in a win, it was clear that this Los Angeles team is not set up for the future nearly as well as the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that has dwelled in mediocrity for most of it’s existence.

Missing one of their franchise cornerstones, point guard Ricky Rubio, as well as a piece that has played well for them in stretches, center Nikola Pekovic, the Timberwolves were still extremely competitive. Minnesota didn’t even play arguably the most talented scorer available for either team, Kevin Martin, who got a DNP-coach’s decision on the day.

All three of the aforementioned players are under contract for the Timberwolves next season, and all carry some trade value. Even Pekovic, who’s contract is quite burdensome, would be an asset if he regains his health going into the next campaign. These are the assets that did not even take the court in the two-point loss.

As far as the Los Angeles Lakers and their M*A*S*H* unit? Kobe Bryant is not a trade chip for a variety of reasons, Steve Nash just retired, and Nick Young is banged-up scorer who forgot how to do so this season. Julius Randle is uber-talented, but his value as an asset is at an all-time low given we haven’t seen anything yet.

The DNP-CD guys for the Lakers? Carlos Boozer is a free agent after the season, and it’s possible Jordan Hill could join him. Of the duo, only Hill would command any type of decent return in a trade.

In the “up-and-coming” department, the Lakers actually can boast a fairly good prospect in Jordan Clarkson. The rookie from Missouri has looked good since the All-Star break, and could be a key piece of the team going forward as a combo guard that can slash to the rim. Unfortunately, he’s probably not a guy with the potential to be one of the best players on a really good team.

The Los Angeles Lakers have nobody like that available to play right now.

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    • The Minnesota Timberwolves have a guy like that. Andrew Wiggins, the probable Rookie of the Year, has the look of a perennial All-Star. He’s rounded out into a complete player that can score, pass, rebound, and defend.

    His numbers this season aren’t eye-popping, but he’s figured it out quite quickly for a rookie, and he’s rightfully given the Timberwolves hope that they can become a contender within the next five years.

    The Los Angeles Lakers might have a star in Julius Randle (for what it’s worth, I think he will be), but we really won’t be able to begin to evaluate that until next season. The odds are also high that the Lakers will retain the rights to their top-five protected lottery pick, giving them another swing at a potential superstar.

    Minnesota will get that swing as well, albeit with more ping-pong balls in their favor by virtue of the second-worst record in the league. Whatever they do with that selection, they’ll have the opportunity to add to their already impressive talent pool.

    Another reason why, even in a win against their ‘rivals’ at the bottom of the standings, the Los Angeles Lakers need to jump start their rebuild.

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