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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 reasons they will make the playoffs in 2017-18

By Josh Cornelissen

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 10: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on with Head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers during the preseason game against the Utah Jazz on October 10, 2017 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 10: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on with Head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers during the preseason game against the Utah Jazz on October 10, 2017 at STAPLES Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /

2. Smart front office now in place

The combination of Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak oversaw the Los Angeles Lakers for a long period of time, much of it wildly successful. But in recent years it became clear that that duo was incapable of adjusting to the modern NBA, and president and controlling owner of the Lakers Jeanie Buss was forced to step in and remove them.

They were replaced by former Laker great Magic Johnson, now team president, and power agent Rob Pelinka now serves as general manager. Both have deep ties with the organization going back for decades, and call to mind for fans some of the greatest years in franchise history.

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Johnson brings a substantial amount of business cache with him, having succeeded in a number of ventures by force of charisma and the wisdom to surround himself with smart people. Pelinka has succeeded in the competitive world of star representation, handling some of the league’s largest clients.

The pairing has already been at work since taking over the team this spring, adding four players in the draft and trading for Brook Lopez. Kentavious Caldwell Pope was brought in on a one-year deal in a move that helps both sides without affecting the Lakers’ cap space for next season.

Just this month the team hired Jason Rosenfeld as director of basketball analytics. Rosenfeld held the same title at the league office, and his hiring shows yet another acceptance that the modern NBA takes a different type of commitment to excellence. While the blockbuster moves are yet to come, the men running the Lakers’ front office look wholly competent.

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