Lakers rumors: Purple and gold are ready to take back LA

The latest Lakers rumors address whether or not they’ve taken the city back from the Clippers.

As this off-season would have it, the latest Lakers rumors are all about who runs Los Angeles. For the last couple of seasons, the easy answer there would be the Clippers.

After Chris Paul’s original trade to Los Angeles was vetoed, a secondary one that sent him to the Clippers changed everything. Now that we know the core brought in at that point wouldn’t contend, it’s time to move on from everything.

Jamal Crawford is on another team, Chris Paul chose Houston, and J.J. Redick chose Philly. All three were crucial to the success and shortcomings of the Clippers, but that’s not their problem anymore.

This leaves the Clippers ultimately in the hands and at the mercy of Doc Rivers.

How far a coach like him can take a team with no true current direction is a question worth asking. He took Boston to the NBA Finals — but that was with much more talent and with a solid squad of dependable veterans.

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Not really the same scenario he’s in right now.

On the other hand, the Lakers are ready to steal back the show. After not being in the front of the stage for a while, things are coming back into place. They seem to know who their true point guard of the future will be, along with trust in Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, and Jordan Clarkson to emerge as stars.

Whether or not they’ll achieve All-Star status isn’t something the team is overall worried about. Instead, the focus seems to be making progress the only real priority.

Lonzo Ball will provide them a better point guard option over the Clippers. Once Ingram, Randle, and Clarkson get hot, they’ll also be something that fans will want to watch.

And not to mention the fact that the Lakers were still able to sell a large number of seats to home games while in the dumps. Just imagine what Staples Center will be like when they return as the main attraction.

Also, this year’s Lakers have a chance to become a playoff squad. Not only that, but to become the perfect dark horse in the Western Conference. Other teams like Minnesota and Oklahoma City stacked up with Paul George and Jimmy Butler as an answer to Golden State.

Instead, Los Angeles will use this time under the Warriors’ dominance to grow their own game. Luke Walton knows what he’s doing, and before fans know it they will have their competitive team back.

Next: Predicting The First Four Years Under Lonzo Ball

Finally, it really is the end of the road for the Clippers. They plan on moving to Inglewood it seems, and the core that was supposed to bring home at least one ring has, in the majority, left the building.