Lakers: Building the ideal 10-man rotation for the 2018 season
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers have already undergone a dramatic roster change in the last year. That is likely set to continue into the 2018-2019 season.
On February 15, 2017, the 19-38 Los Angeles Lakers took on the 24-32 Sacramento Kings. On that Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers fielded a starting five of D’Angelo Russell, Nick Young, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle and Tarik Black. Making an appearance off the bench was Jordan Clarkson, Lou Williams, Larry Nance Jr, Luol Deng, Timofey Mozgov and Ivica Zubac.
The Lakers lost the contest and went on to finish the season with a 26-56 record.
Fast forward to February 14, 2018, and the 23-32 Los Angeles Lakers take on the New Orleans Pelicans. If the Lakers win the next two games, they will have one less win at the All-Star Break than they had all season last year.
In the team’s last contest against the Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers fielded a starting five of Josh Hart, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle and Brook Lopez. Isaiah Thomas, Kyle Kuzma and Corey Brewer all had roles off the bench. Ivica Zubac and Alex Caruso combined for 49 seconds on the court.
The Lakers are doing what they need to do; grow. D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov were shipped to Brooklyn for a pick (Kyle Kuzma) and cap space. Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance were just traded to the Cavaliers for Isaiah Thomas.
Lou Williams is now a Clipper, with a stint in Houston in between, Nick Young is a Warrior and Tarik Black is a Rocket.
The growth is apparent. Now, with the goal of freeing cap space accomplished, the team looks to grow even more in 2018. Thus, we created the ideal 10-man rotation for the Lakers in 2018.