The Los Angeles Lakers are historically known for being one of the greatest sports franchises in the history of the NBA and the sports world as a whole. However during most recent times, the team has been dipping in the standings and hasn’t made the playoffs since 2013 when they were swept 4-0 by the San Antonio Spurs. During this stretch of mediocrity, there was also a lot of drama and internal conflict within the organization as Jeanie Buss had to make changes and remove her brother Jim Buss from being head of basketball operations along with the firing of former general manager Mitch Kupchak.
This stunning but much needed change of culture and developments opened the door for Earvin “Magic” Johnson to become President of basketball operations and they also added former NBA Agent Rob Pelinka as general manager. The hiring of Magic immediately gave the Lakers much added credibility with free agents in the league and the “showtime” era of excitement is back with drafting the #2 pick Lonzo Ball. The Lakers finished towards the bottom of the Pacific Division out west last year, but have shown signs of improvement and a better record in 2018.
Many questionable signings, coaching carousels over the last few years, and internal conflict within the organization contributed to the collapse of this great franchise. However, there is always light at the end of the tunnel, and certainly with the hiring of Luke Walton, along with the additions of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka, a really good draft and cap space for July of 2018, the future is looking really bright for the purple and gold. In such a short period of time working together, Magic and Pelinka have made things happen with the quickness.
They got Tim Mozgov’s contract off the books and shipped him off to New Jersey along with the controversial but talented point guard D’Angelo Russell. Nick Young aka “Swaggy P” is officially a Golden State Warrior and removing him and Russell from the fray adds a more mature environment, particularly on the floor and in the locker room. They drafted very well not only getting Ball at number # 2, but they also picked up the sharp shooting playmaker out of Utah Kyle Kuzma with the 27th pick in the first round.
Guard/Forward Josh Hart was also scooped up in the first round, coming in with the 30th pick for the Purple and Gold. Let’s not forget about the trade from the Nets in which the Lakers received center Brook Lopez and they also signed the sharp shooting skills of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. During the 2016 season, Lopez led all NBA centers in made 3 pointers, had a scoring average of 20 PPG, and allowed a lower FG% against opposing scorers which was lower then shot blocking phenom Hassan Whiteside of the Miami Heat.
Lopez has added some much needed rim protection for the Lakers. The Lakers return to dominance and winning consistently won’t happen overnight (Sorry Lavar but in reality it’s going to take a few years). Last year they were 17th in the league averaging 104.6 PPG while allowing the opposition to score 111.5 PPG which was 28th in the league. Their assists totals have increased with Ball running the show as they only averaged 20.9 Assists per game last year, which was 26th in the league.
These new additions along with the young nucleus and existing core of players like Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle should make the Lakers a fun team to watch and add a few more “W’s” under the win column for many years to come. Unfortunately Laker fans (including myself lol), they are not a playoff team this year and they’ve struggled at times in the very competitive Western Conference. Despite an abundance of injuries and trades, the Lake show did win more games this year than they did last year.
Fast forwarding to July of 2018, I expect the Lakers to land at least 2 big time and key superstars to their lineup to compete out west. I think the two best choices for them would be the likes of Lebron James and Paul George. We can’t forget about the potential availability of Demarcus Cousins as well, but I think the best fit for Los Angeles not only skill wise but also personality wise, would be Lebron and Paul George. We also really don’t know how Cousins will respond after tearing his Achilles earlier this year in New Orleans.
Lebron already has a home here in Los Angeles not to mention he’s already a mogul in the making. What better market to flourish on a business level (Movies, film, marketing ventures, etc.) then here in L.A., plus being mentored by the great Earvin “Magic” Johnson in terms of life and business opportunities after basketball. Paul George is a local talent originally from the Palmdale area who has expressed interest in coming back home on previous occasions.
Both players would have plenty of opportunities to score and flourish with Lonzo Ball handling the rock. The league’s projected salary cap is supposed to climb upward of $102 million dollars come July of 2018. Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. have been shipped off to Cleveland already, showing me that the Lakers are trying to win now and think big.
Julius Randle will also be a free agent in July of 2018, but I like the young kid Randle, and I hope the Lakers can keep him around, particularly with his emergence this year on the floor. However, If they can’t work out a deal to keep Randle, the Purple and Gold will still have plenty of dollars to spend in free agency.
For them to sign two key free agent stars, the Lakers will need cap space between $61.2 million and $71.4 million to make it happen. I honestly believe with Magic being the captain of the ship for the Lakers, it will get done. Based on the immediate chemistry and aggressive nature of Magic and Pelinka, the Lakers should land two very viable superstars to their arsenal next year.
I know it’s early on in the existing relationship between Magic and Rob Pelinka, but so far they’ve blended well together and appear to be a force to be reckoned with regarding front office movement and transactions. As we soon enter into another NBA offseason, the “showtime” era is once again back in Los Angeles, not just on the court, but off the court as well. Get your popcorn and soda’s ready now, put on your seatbelt, and sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride that is to come here in Los Angeles.