It is a new era for the Los Angeles Lakers. They are trying to forget about the last 4 years of a playoff drought behind them. With doing some cleaning house work, as they fired Mitch Kuchak and majority owner Jeanie Buss firing her brother Jim Buss for the mess they have caused for the organization the last few years. It has been very sad to watch Showtime in Los Angeles Lakers during the last few years. The Clippers are getting more media attention and billboard time during these last few years around LA.
Jeanie Buss then hired Major Johnson as president of basketball operation (long over due), and hired Rob Pelinka as General Manager (former Kobe "Mamba" Bryant's agent). As the front office settles in, they put themselves in a good position to succeed. The Lakers has the history, marketcap, and the city of Los Angeles (warm weather, big media town, and the glam), and a Hall of Famer to play for who wouldn't like the opportunity to play for the Lake Show? They are trying to capture the winning ways and reorganize the culture of the organization.
During this offseason
- Traded D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to Brooklyn for Brook Lopez and the 27th pick
This was a total $$$$$ move by the Lakers to free up cap space for next year and beyond for trying to snag one or two free agent superstar in the league. D'Angelo had some immaturity issues (think Swaggy P.), lack of desire to play for every possession, and glimmer of flashes excellence from the point guard position. The Mozgov contract is just plain stupid for giving him a big contract who doesn't even play. He had 48 million left on his contract.
Brook Lopez is a rental. A solid player who can post and now shoot 3's. He is a soft big man who can't give you double doubles.
- With the trade D'Angelo & Mozy for BLOPEZ and 27th pick with Brooklyn Net, the 27th pick. The Lakers drafted Kyle Kuzma.
A nice front court filler for the Lakers. Kumzman is a 6'9 ½" player with 7'0" wingspan who shot just 30.2 percent from three and 63.1 percent at the line in college. This was a safe pick. He will contribute very very very little with the front court they have on the roster right now. He will be a 3 years and out of the league type of player playing overseas.
Drafted 4 year college player Josh Hart from Villanova. A polished guard who has been excellent throughout his collegiate. On his resume he was a national champion as a junior, a first-team All-American as a senior, a 50-plus percent shooter all four years and a 40-plus percent three-point sniper twice. He has the polished skills, maturity, basketball IQ, and tenacity. He lacks the athleticism or length which doesn't really matter in the NBA. These type of players with a chip on their shoulder who knows they can contribute will find their niche in the NBA. He will be a good glue guy who can and will be in the NBA for 8+ years.
Waived David Nwaba (good solid energy guard who wanted a contract, but a cost move by the Lakers)
Signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for a one-year, $18 million deal.
Smart solid move by LA which gives them a tough defender, and not committing too much $$$ in a player. A good glue guy who can give you solid minutes. Nothing wowing about his stats.Let Nick "Swaggy P." Young go
- Big Baller, Lonzo Ball is on the Lakers
This is what Magic Johnson wanted all along. Lonzo Ball is 6'6" point guard who is the new foundation for L.A.'s identity for the new Showtime. He will push the ball up in transition along with his excellent court vision. He will provide many easy buckets for teammates. He has the size and the desire to play up to competition. He is not afraid to take big shots (youtube last year's UCLA season). His summer league left a good buzz about him with 2 triple double games, and showcasing his high level of court vision. He will have a lot of ups and downs this year. His stats will be good for fantasy basketball. LOL. The question for Lonzo is can he improve on his defense, his awkward shot (twist and shoot), is he able to create his own shots at this stage, and lastly athletic abilities competing against elite guards. He has a lot of positives that makes this new era of the Lakers with a lot of hype. Another bad thing is you have to heard from his dad LaVar Ball blabbering about Big Baller crap....
2017 - 2018 - Los Angeles Lakers Roster
They made excellent headway with this season freeing up cap space and dumping crappy contracts. I believe if one of the youngster develops like they should - Brandon Ingram & Julius Randle - into solid 30 - 35 minute type of players. Then the Lakers will trade Luol Deng during the trade deadline to free up more cap space clearing the way for their superstar of next year free agency - LBJ & PG13? Who knows, but this front office aligned themselves in a good place for the next few years.
My prediction for this season 2017-2018 Lakers is that they will be 10th or 11th place when the season finishes up. They will make a few runs during the season, and mesh together well at the end of the season with the young core of players. The Western Conference is way too stacked (GSW , SAS, HOU, MN (got way better) , OKC (new PG13), DEN (+ Millsap), Portland, then the 8th seed)
LAC - Clippers
Utah - Jazz
Memphis - Grizzlies
LAL - Lakers
That is my ranking right now.
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