NBA Draft 2017: The fate of the Lakers is at stake this year

The NBA Draft 2017 is finally here, so what do the Lakers have at stake?

If the Lakers mess this up, the chances of them getting back on a contender’s level isn’t likely.

Soon enough, at least they hope, Paul George will be with them. The superstar carries a lot of weight wherever he goes, and how he’ll change the team dynamic is a whole different story.

Brandon Ingram is their go-to guy now. A top two pick from just two years ago is now no longer with the team, and cap space is free to go after big names.

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If they don’t secure Paul George, chances are they’ll try their luck with LeBron James next summer.

Those are not small moves for a rebuilding team to be making. Having said that, their perspective on the draft can’t afford to be lackluster either. If they pick Lonzo Ball at second overall, they understand something other teams might not.

It’s more about the kid himself rather than outside factors. If they let his father bug them that much, what does that say about their level of focus with the young guys?

More than enough, and that’s not a good thing.

To add to that, the fact that Magic Johnson feels bold enough to trade the young core for superstars shows you his mindset. He really is about winning right now, not later.

That can be good for a team like the Lakers, who are used to winning, but it has its consequences. Should Los Angeles neglect the needs of their remaining core, the entire rebuild will have been for nothing.

All of the thought put into trusting younger players wouldn’t mean jack. All they really needed, in that case, was a change at the front office level.

Next: 3 Teams That Could Draft Lonzo Ball

So they need to be careful what they wish for.

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