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Los Angeles Lakers: Constructing the perfect offseason

By Jason Reed

EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: President of basketball operations Magic Johnson answers question from the media during a press conference to introduce the team's 2018 NBA draft picks at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. Moritz Wagner was chosen with the 25th overall pick and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk with the 47th pick. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - JUNE 26: President of basketball operations Magic Johnson answers question from the media during a press conference to introduce the team's 2018 NBA draft picks at the UCLA Health Training Center on June 26, 2018 in El Segundo, California. Moritz Wagner was chosen with the 25th overall pick and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk with the 47th pick. 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 Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

4. Sign Rajon Rondo and Nerlefns Noel

The final icing on the cake this summer for the Los Angeles Lakers should be the additions of both Rajon Rondo and Nerlens Noel to fill out as valuable bench pieces next season. These signings would take very certain circumstances, however.

The Los Angeles Lakers would have to extend Luol Deng’s contract out in order to open the space to sign two more guys to the roster. While the Lakers could add guys at the minimum, neither Rondo or Noel are likely going to agree to a minimum contract this offseason.

Thus, if the Lakers can stretch Deng’s contract out, the Lakers could sign these players first and then utilize the Bird Rights on Julius Randle to go over the cap. The cost of both Rondo and Noel, combined, is likely in the $8-9 million range next season.

Rajon Rondo would be a great veteran presence off the bench that would help Lonzo Ball blossom into his full potential. Nerlens Noel would add the much-needed traditional center outlook to a team that lacks an anchor down low.

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Throw in the 2018 draft picks, who both will likely serve as three-point specialists off the bench, and the Lakers would have one of the best and deepest rotations in basketball.

  • PG Lonzo Ball
  • SG Brandon Ingram
  • SF LeBron James
  • PF Julius Randle
  • C DeMarcus Cousins
  • 6 Nerlens Noel
  • 7 Kyle Kuzma
  • 8 Josh Hart
  • 9 Rajon Rondo
  • 10 Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
  • 11 Moritz Wagner

During the regular season, the Lakers can utilize an 11-man rotation to keep everyone fresh and ready to compete. Once the postseason rolls around, Luke Walton can limit the minutes of the rookies or whoever is not producing and run an eight or nine-man rotation.

Next: Lakers: Top 30 Greatest Players of All-Time

There is no such thing as too much depth and the Los Angeles Lakers would have plenty of depth. If the offseason goes along with this plan, the Lakers could become the team to beat in the NBA.

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