Time To Give Some Props To Lakers Front Office
By Pablo Jacobo
After bombing in free agency for the third straight year, the Los Angeles Lakers bounced back and saved face with their preceding additions. They signed Lou Williams and Brandon Bass. They also traded for Roy Hibbert. Solid moves that will not hinder the progressions of the young Lakers. It took some creative maneuvering for the Lakers to pull off these deals so kudos to the front office
At first glance these additions don’t seem to scare anybody, but for what the Lakers are trying to accomplish, the signings are great. The front office wants to build a team for the future. Essentially two lottery picks in D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle are what LA is banking on for their rebuild.
Summer League has not been impressive for Laker fans. The Laker faithful was hoping to see an explosive run-and-gun squad with their two explosive combo guards in No. 2 pick overall D’Angelo Russell and 2014 All-Rookie first teamer Jordan Clarkson. Both guards are equal in size, speed and how they play the game. Clarkson has been excellent but Russell has struggled a bit.
In a stacked Western Conference, where every team seemingly has a point guard, the Lakers have not had a star point guard since Magic Johnson. The front office made the right move in selecting Russell over Jahlil Okafor. Okafor (as expected) has been playing great in Summer League. Russell has accumulated 23 turnovers in his first four games so naturally the fans overreact. On the positive side he’s shown glimpses of his tremendous passing skills and play making ability. Once he learns the system he will be dangerous in pick-and-rolls, Pick-and-pops, screen-and-rolls and pretty much any offensive set he’s put in. His scoring touch has not appeared yet which makes the Lou Williams signing huge.
This is the reason why the front office brought in the reigning sixth man of the year. His 15.8 points off the bench will be crucial if Russell struggles early on. Also we don’t know how healthy and effective Kobe Bryant will be next season. At his advanced age, it won’t be a good idea to play him over 30 minutes.
"“When he goes out, I’m sure I’ll be coming in,” Williams said of Bryant to the Los Angeles News Group. Williams continued,” That’s how it will work. We won’t have too many lapses. We’ll be able to keep the scoring level going and give him an opportunity to get a breather and then he’ll come back in.”"
Best of all, Williams knows his role on the team. He understands what the Lakers are going to expect from him. In addition, his bargain deal (3 years $21M) will not affect the team’s cap next offseason when the salary cap rises.
To add even more excitement to the 2015-16 season, a healthy Nick Young will be in the mix as well. Rumors pointed to Young being moved to free up more room for potential free agents but after unsuccessful takers, Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak sees Swaggy P as a core player this upcoming season.
Kupchak says he does expect Nick Young to be a core player this season, but does have to improve (i.e. defense) & also adjust to teams needs
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) July 10, 2015
The Lakers can potentially have a devastating scoring duo off the bench to open up the floor for the Laker bigs inside or the dribble penetration from their young guards. A scoring punch in the second unit will be huge in case Russell and Clarkson struggle offensively. Also both sixth-men will ease some of the burden from Bryant trying to shoulder the scoring load. Both Williams and Young can instantly drop double-figure points any given night. Swaggy P and Sweet Lou can be devastating three-point options for Bryant, Clarkson and Russell who are capable playmakers.
After striking out on LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Jordan and Greg Monroe, the Lakers did not panic and managed to trade for a two-time All-Star in Roy Hibbert. Hibbert is the type of player LA needed to help develop Julius Randle. Hibbert is 18-months removed from being defensive player of the year runner up and anchoring the best defense in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers. He can block and alter shots plus help in the rebounding department. The former Pacer has an expiring deal that could be an interesting trade chip by the trade deadline or he could ultimately resurrect his career in Los Angeles.
Randle has struggled in Summer League but the quick movement he’s displayed has got fans buzzing. He’s shown a quick first step and his strength is impressive. He had his best game of the Summer Wednesday against the Mavs. He scored 17 points on 6-11 shooting. This is the potential the franchise saw when they drafted him seventh overall in 2014. If LA had signed Aldridge, Randle’s development would have been slowed down. I thought Aldridge was a bad fit anyway simply because he plays the same position as Randle. The new Spurs player would have had to play Center, which he dislikes. He would not have made the Lakers a contender and would have hindered Randle’s growth. Hibbert’s addition will let Randle blossom in the NBA.
Brandon Bass was added as well. A solid role player on every team he’s played for. He averaged 10 points and 4 rebounds last season. His signing is significant in case Randle struggles in the early going. Bass can play defense, knock down the jumper and is a strong offensive rebounder. He adds more depth on this young Laker squad. He adds much needed toughness to a team that was atrocious defensively. He can be a nice mentor to Randle as they are about the same size and yet Bass has managed to stay in the league 10 years as an undersized power forward.
Jul 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D
The front office hit the jackpot last season with Jordan Clarkson. The Lakers bought the 46th pick to select the 6-foot-5 guard out of Missouri. Additionally, the Lakers called up the D-League’s leading scorer Jabari Brown. He immediately impressed and the Lakers signed him to a multi-year contract. In two games in the Summer League, he’s been impressive averaging 18 points.
This year’s draft looks successful with Anthony Brown and Jim Nance Jr. Brown is a three-point specialist who can play defense. Nance Jr was a surprising pick, but looks like he will be a fan favorite with his athleticism and defensive prowess. Laker fans have quickly embraced him, even chanting his name at Summer League.
More from LA Sports Hub
- Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
- LA Chargers: Week 8 against Denver Broncos is a must-win
- LA Rams: Jared Goff wants to keep the Los Angeles title streak going
- Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
- LA Chargers: Justin Herbert wins AFC Rookie of the Month
The Lakers brass may have snapped up a defensive gem with Robert Upshaw. A legit 7-footer with tremendous shot blocking ability who went undrafted, who could potentially be this year’s steal. Did lightning strike twice for LA? In one game Upshaw impressed and was quickly signed to the team. Upshaw’s potential was quickly recognized by the FO and added him to the roster. He’s still getting into game shape, but LA can stash him with the LA D-Fenders until he’s ready to contribute.
All in all, the Lakers have made positive moves for the future. The young core of players they have assembled can only bode well for the franchise’s success. The moves the Lakers have made since last season should get fans excited. The young trio of Randle, Clarkson and Russell is a nice way to start the rebuild. Complementary players like Tarik Black, Ryan Kelly, J. Brown, A. Brown, Nance Jr and Upshaw are a nice foundation. Veterans like Williams, Bass and Hibbert add the necessary experience that will support the youth’s growth. Come 2016 offseason, the Lakers may look a bit more appealing for free agents.