The Lakers drafted Lonzo Ball,Kyle Kuzma, and Josh Hart this past draft but stand at 11-25 at the moment. I understand the Lakers have a very
young team and Luke Walton has his hands full finding minutes for everyone but what is the plan?
There are rumors they will pursue Paul George and Demarcus Cousins at the deadline if their respective teams decide its better to pursue a trade and not risk losing them for nothing in free agency this coming summer. Lebron James is on their radar as well but they must open up cap space to bring in 2 max superstars.
Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka’s plans are to have the Lakers amongst the West elites next season and to have enough firepower to compete with Golden State. No doubt about it if the Lakers can bring in 2 of those 3 guys the Lakers could take the Warriors out next season.
Imagine Lebron James as unselfish as he is working with Paul George who wants to play for his hometown and play out his prime on the Lakers? Couple them with a floor general like Lonzo Ball who is more then willing to share the wealth and push the pace and the Lakers might be back to Showtime. Lebron is showing no signs of slowing down also and probably has another 2-3 more years at an elite level.
But then you have Kyle Kuzma who has established himself as a go to scorer and has taken the league by storm with his score first mindset and versatility as a combo forward with a lethal 3 point jumshot. Brandon Ingram has developed his body and is attacking the basket relentlessly and showing great play-making ability to help Walton’s offense replicate the Warriors.
Clarkson and Randle have been around a couple years now, Randle will be a free agent but he plays the same position as Kuzma so do you take a risk and go with him as your center going forward or move him? Clarkson is signed to a contract so getting his contract and Deng’s contract off the books would certainly help with cap space to sign 2 superstars.
Luke Walton is trying to mold the Lakers into his version of the Golden State Warriors the problem is they can’t score like Golden State neither do they have 3 elite shooters, Ball and Kuzma can become elite shooters but it will take a year or two.
To conclude I saw the Lakers-Wolves game and Walton took hie starters out because the Lakers got off to a 0-14 start. They need an identity I just don’t know how Luke Walton manages an ego like Lebron James if he does come aboard. Lebron James would help Lonzo Ball’s development and Lebron would certainly want to play with a shooter like Kuzma who compliments his pass first mentality but can Luke coach Lebron? Doubt it, we’ll see if by the deadline start making moves and we will gain more clarity.
D-NBA 