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Lakers Season Opener: Five things that will happen vs Clippers

By Keith Rivas

GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrati during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrati during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

The D’Angelo Russell trade will start to make sense

As much as some fans had issue with the D’Angelo Russell to Brooklyn trade earlier this summer, the part that might be overlooked heading into the season is that the fact is that the Lakers got a bad contract off their hands and Russell was just part of the cost.

In all fairness, the money that former Lakers center Timofey Mozgov was making was ridiculous. It was a bad choice by the previous front office to give him that kind of deal, and Los Angeles had been paying the consequences for it.

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The other player that got a very friendly deal is Luol Deng, who’s still on the roster. However, the Lakers won the trade with the Nets based on what they were able to do with it.

We saw in Summer League that Kyle Kuzma has the chance to be the best draft steal in recent memory. Working alongside Lonzo Ball, Kuzma showed that he can do whatever the Lakers need him to do and that he’s willing to be one of the hardest workers on the team.

Additionally, giving guys like Thomas Bryant a chance to be part of the young core as a center will help lead the Lakers down the right path. In the moment, Brook Lopez will also be a big reason why Lakers fans will be excited about what’s to come.

While only guaranteed on contract through the upcoming season, Lopez adds consistent shooting and a big presence to grab boards that the Lakers didn’t really get from Mozgov. It will definitely feel different, but that’s because the growing pains are still ongoing as the transition into the Lonzo Ball era begins.

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