Usually around this time the Lakers are preparing to do battle for another NBA championship, but for the past two seasons, they have clashed with the fact that they are not the best team in L.A right now.
Around this time last year they were awarded the seventh overall pick in the NBA Draft and chose Kentucky power forward Julius Randle. Randle got hurt in his NBA debut and Lakers’ fans had to wait and see a return on their investment.
The Lakers have a healthy roster so far, and a few options in free agency. So landing that dynamic player in this year’s upcoming NBA draft is crucial in there rebuilding process.
Let’s forget about the numbers for a minute and let’s say the Lakers get the third overall pick.
Who do you draft? Assuming he is still available do you go get Duke’s Jahlil Okafor? An Okafor/Randle front-court would be ideal in a post-Kobe Bryant era.
Do you get the best point guard in the draft in Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell? Head coach Byron Scott did emphasize how the team needs a point guard who can run the team.
Or do you go rogue and draft Kentucky’s Justise Winslow, and hope he can turn into what Jimmy Butler is for the Chicago Bulls.
The Lakers are in no position for a deep playoff run, so the least they can do when Bryant walks away is develop an identity within the organization.
The big men that are currently on the Lakers roster, excluding Randle, would make it difficult for a team known for hanging championship banners in their arena.
Robert Sacre was supposed to be a reliable figure in the Lakers rotation, but he is still having a difficult time adjusting to the pro game. Jordan Hill is a good player but could serve better coming off the bench.
Russell is projected to be the floor general that the Lakers need. He sees the floor well, can create his own shot and has a certain mentality about him that is contagious on a team.
Jordan Clarkson, who recently was voted to the All-Rookie 1st Team, was a steal for the Lakers last season. Even though Clarkson emerged as a hidden gem, is he what the team needs going forward?
The Lakers need a point guard bad. Steve Nash turned out to be a bust, Jeremy Lin is still trying to find his way and Ronnie Price just isn’t talented enough.
Winslow emerged as a late bloomer for Duke, and was a key figure in them winning the national championship. Some have said he reminds them of a James Harden or Trevor Ariza.
Wesley Johnson has not quite lived up to expectations at the wing position and could possibly be left of the Lakers roster this upcoming season. Nick Young signed a new contract with the team before the season started, but is still trying to find himself after that horrible season he just had.
The Lakers need a lot of things right now, but first it starts with a good draft pick.
If for some strange reason the Lakers are bounced out of a Top-5 lottery pick, the team still has three picks in the draft. So it will be interesting to see what the purple and gold do on Tuesday night.
The NCAA has banned Southern Methodist University’s basketball team from the 2016 postseason and, suspended head coach Larry Brown for 30-percent (9 games) of this season’s games due to a lack of head coach control.
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