What do the Lakers do now?

[OregonDucks]

Now that Kobe is gone, part of their story and their spotlight are gone. Only Kobe Bryant could keep a franchise that has been terrible for the past few years and irrelevant for the past few years in the spotlight like the Lakers are use to having.

But now that he is gone, where do the Lakers turn?

Are they going to continue to build through the draft and build up this young core? Which IMO doesn't look like it is even close to being ready to compete.

Do they go after big name free agents and build this thing like you'd expect a franchise like Los Angeles to do? Go get their stars? Although Dwight Howard may have made them gun shy in that respect.

Just curious to see what identity the Lakers go with now moving forward. I must think there has to be changes coming, but what direction do they lean with?

I don't like the Lakers, but them being good is good for the game. Just like the Yankees being good is good for baseball. Sports needs a villain franchise.

 

[Bolts]

Lol the Lakers being good is good for the game. It's a much better league when they're trash like they've been the past couple years and they should continue to be trash.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Let the young guys develop and throw a fuck load of cash in the direction of any quality free agent.

 

[Davis_Mike]

The Lakers are the Knicks.

They have been too reliant on the antiquated notion that the lure of their city will fill their roster with stars. Which hasn't been the reality since Shaq. It's the same problem the Knicks have been dealing with for over a decade. Technology & society has made it easier for star basketball players to become big money entertainers in just about every market. So that well has semi-dried up.

They waited too long to start rebuilding. They spent money the last few season on veterans in the hopes they could still make the playoffs. They should have rebooted after the 2013/14 season.

The good news is that if you have a competent GM, and unless you are the Sixers, a few years of drafting in the top 5 should set you up for success going forward.

Just don't start throwing money at any big money veteran free agents. At least not till after a couple of seasons, giving in the young players time to develop & establish themselves.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

The Lakers are the Knicks.

They have been too reliant on the antiquated notion that the lure of their city will fill their roster with stars. Which hasn't been the reality since Shaq. It's the same problem the Knicks have been dealing with for over a decade. Technology & society has made it easier for star basketball players to become big money entertainers in just about every market. So that well has semi-dried up.

They waited too long to start rebuilding. They spent money the last few season on veterans in the hopes they could still make the playoffs. They should have rebooted in after the 2013/14 season.

The good news is that if you have a competent GM, and unless you are the Sixers, a few years of drafting in the top 5 should set you up for success going forward.

They have done that if they get their pick this year - Assuming they get to keep it

Clarkson-G
Randle-F
Simmon or Ingram-F
Russell-G

The Huertas as the center and they got a few others - they almost don't need a free agent, if they choose to be patient, but with the group they got, they don't need an elite player quite yet to be playoff bound and once they hit that level - players will be attracted to this team. Their well is a long ways from being dried up now that Kobe is gone

 

[trojanfan12]

The Huertas as the center

 

[Davis_Mike]

They have done that if they get their pick this year - Assuming they get to keep it

Clarkson-G
Randle-F
Simmon or Ingram-F
Russell-G

The Huertas as the center and they got a few others - they almost don't need a free agent, if they choose to be patient, but with the group they got, they don't need an elite player quite yet to be playoff bound and once they hit that level - players will be attracted to this team. Their well is a long ways from being dried up now that Kobe is gone

That isn't a winning team, that's a sub 30 win team. Clarkson is the only guy currently on that team who is a legit NBA starter for a winning team.

 

[trojanfan12]

That isn't a winning team, that's a sub 30 win team. Clarkson is the only guy currently on that team who is a legit NBA starter for a winning team.

Seriously?!? They probably don't make the playoffs next season with that group. But they would soon enough.

Randle is one of only 9 players in the league averaging a double double and most think Russell is going to be a star as well.

Throw in Simmons or Ingram and that's a darn nice, young group that can develop and grow together.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Not right now it

That isn't a winning team, that's a sub 30 win team. Clarkson is the only guy currently on that team who is a legit NBA starter for a winning team.

Not right now it isn't and not next year either without a quality free agent - but in two or three more years the team will be winning games left and right. I think like they are they would win 30 to 35, but with two good free agents who wouldn't have to be Kevin Durant types - they could bounce up to 40 or 45 wins and zero closer to the playoffs.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

The Lakers will be there in two years - that's about one year or two past the self imposed deadline Jim Buss set for himself, but the Lakers are getting the team together gradually.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

My bad - I was thinking of the white guy from Indiana - Huertas is a good player too though and I like him

 

[trojanfan12]

My bad - I was thinking of the white guy from Indiana - Huertas is a good player too though and I like him

I like him too.

 

[HurricaneDij39]

TLF moment.

 

[Davis_Mike]

Seriously?!? Randle is one of only 9 players in the league averaging a double double and most think Russell is going to be a star as well.

Throw in Simmons or Ingram and that's a darn nice, young group that can develop and grow together.

A squeaker of a double double on a terrible team is not impressive. And yes that team with a draft pick, can develop. But there is no way that team as the core, wins more than 30 games in the next couple of seasons. Also, the chances of of the Lakers landing either Simmons or Ingram are pretty low.

Simmons stock has dropped a lot. Even if he falls to the Lakers at 3-4, there is no guarantee he turns out to be anything more than an average player.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

I like him too.

We've discussed this before and really if the Lakers get Ingram or Simmons I think the Lakers might be wiser to stand pat and put all of those guys into the starting line up next season and learn on the road. Two decent picks, however would be nice - they wouldn't have to be Kevin Durant either

 

[True Lakers Fan]

A squeaker of a double double on a terrible team is not impressive. And yes that team with a draft pick, can develop. But there is no way that team as the core, wins more than 30 games in the next couple of seasons. Also, the chances of of the Lakers landing either Simmons or Ingram are pretty low.

Simmons stock has dropped a lot. Even if he falls to the Lakers at 3-4, there is no guarantee he turns out to be anything more than an average player.

Uh, the Lakers pick is top three protected only - if the Lakers pick drops to 4, they don't anything

 

[trojanfan12]

A squeaker of a double double on a terrible team is not impressive. And yes that team with a draft pick, can develop. But there is no way that team as the core, wins more than 30 games in the next couple of seasons. Also, the chances of of the Lakers landing either Simmons or Ingram are pretty low.

Simmons stock has dropped a lot. Even if he falls to the Lakers at 3-4, there is no guarantee he turns out to be anything more than an average player.

A double double is plenty impressive on any team when only 8 other players have accomplished it and it's essentially his rookie year.

Unless they land a top FA, the Lakers won't make the playoffs in the next year or 2 and that's fine as long as the young guys continue to develop. OKC went through a few years of no playoffs developing Durant, Westbrook and Harden. That has turned out ok.

The Lakers have a 56% chance of keeping their pick. So, the chances of getting Simmons or Ingram is pretty decent. They have a better chance than any team not named the 76ers.

Simmons stock has dropped some, not a lot. But I'd rather have Ingram anyway. I think he's a more natural fit.

 

[Rockinkuwait]

Go after top FA's.. they will have the money and those guys won't have to worry about sharing leadership with Kobe anymore. Plus there's always the draw of dating a Kardashian or R&B singer. Keep Randle and Russell... Clarkson as long as he really wants to be there, rest can be moved on from. Keep Scott if they want..

They should have hit the reset button when Dwight opted out and cleaned house, but that's fine they've built up some picks and let Kobe retire a Laker.

 

[Arizona_Sting]

Go after top FA's.. they will have the money and those guys won't have to worry about sharing leadership with Kobe anymore. Plus there's always the draw of dating a Kardashian or R&B singer. Keep Randle and Russell... Clarkson as long as he really wants to be there, rest can be moved on from. Keep Scott if they want..

They should have hit the reset button when Dwight opted out and cleaned house, but that's fine they've built up some picks and let Kobe retire a Laker.

wut

 

[Rockinkuwait]

wut

I don't think he's bad as his record lately with Cleveland and LA. I don't see a lot of coaches out there that really make a difference. Pop of course.. but not getting him. Maybe go for Luke Walton... But really he's no worse or better than 90% of the guys out there.