Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Storylines to watch in Orlando
By Nick Ziegler
![Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9863176830c09e83ac866e39e23007d2571982847c97705fd7b4b6b9f437c3c2.jpg)
– Point guard issues
As the season gets ready to resume, the Lakers do have a bit of an issue at the point guard position. For starters, the Lakers had Avery Bradley opt-out of the season. Bradley was one of the best defenders on the team. With the ability to play against some of the best offensive guards in the Western Conference, the loss of Bradley on the defensive end will be significant.
In addition to Bradley opting out, the Lakers will also be without Rajon Rondo for 6-8 weeks. Rondo suffered a hand injury during practice last week and will be missing a good amount of time. Even though Rondo has not been great this season, he is an important part of the rotation as the backup point guard and secondary playmaker to LeBron James.
With both of these players out as of now, the Lakers will need some players to step up. Fortunately, the Lakers do have some quality depth, as Alex Caruso, Quinn Cook, Dion Waiters, and J.R. Smith all should be able to help replace those two.
Even though the Lakers are deep, replacing two key parts of their rotation in the regular season will not be easy. With a few games in the regular season, finding out what to do at the point guard position will be important.