Much of the Lakers' success hinges on the large shoulders of Walter Tavares
At this time last season, there wasn't a whole lot to be excited about in Los Angeles. A threadbare Lakers roster had three ancient stars in Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Steve Nash, with not near enough depth or the right supporting pieces to make a title run. And so the rebuild commenced, slogging through a brutal season. This year might look little better record-wise, but for the first time, there's a hint of a bright future ahead. The road will remain treacherous however, as the top teams in the league raided free agency for exception bargains, and the Lakers largely stayed pat, even though the headliner Danilo "Rooster" Gallinari trade shook up the roster and the team made two first round selections.
Point Guard
Incoming: Marquis Teague (Trade) , Vander Blue (FA)
Retained: Jordan Farmar
Expect a spirited battle between Marquis Teague and Jordan Farmar for running the offense, though sources say the better passing and shooting Farmar, retained with a very team-friendly 4 year, $12 million flat-rate contract has the inside track to be promoted after his excellent year last season that saw him post a sterling A/TO ratio and shoot 50.2% from 3 point range as the now retired Nash's backup. This duo will also be on the team for at least the next two seasons, as the Lakers picked up Teague's fourth year option to give him an extended trial to see if the 21 year old former UK Wildcat can revive his once promising career. Blue was one of two assistant GM signings while Jestor was out of the office, and will not see time unless Teague or Farmar is hurt. Obviously an upgrade here would be ideal, but there are worse PG situations.
Shooting Guard
Incoming: Doug McDermott (Draft), Jeremy Lamb (Trade)
Retained: Randy Foye
All of the wings the Lakers had last year on one year contracts are all gone, though the veteran combo guard Randy Foye has stuck around for one more year. Though he's listed as a small forward, Doug "McBuckets" McDermott will step in the Mateen Yeaton role as a long primary scoring option 2. The rookie's rightly received a lot of shade for his poor defense, but in the team's zone system, those defensive issues are masked. What *is* important is that he and Farmar together will immediately improve the woeful inefficiency the Purple and Gold had out of last year's backcourt. Jeremy Lamb mistakenly had his fourth year option picked up by the league, but that'll be rescinded, and both he and Foye are gone after this season. So look for more upheaval at this position, unlike the largely settled point guard spot.
Small Forward
Incoming: None
Retained: None
The team's weakest position will see Darrell Arthur be the starter by default as the best defensive and shooting option. Lamb will be the early backup, but look for the Lakers to hit the free agent wire and grab more depth here to make up the difference, or possibly even supplant Arthur as the starter. Clearly this will change next season, with every single possible option going to be renounced. It's also traditionally the least significant role in a Jestorball lineup and normally filled by solid defensive players who won't command the ball much.
Power Forward
Incoming: David West (Trade)
Retained: Carlos Boozer
It's a pity David West is 33, because he would form a prime long-term partnership with the Lakers' biggest hope (literally and figuratively). Be that as it may, he'll take over the starting role and provide a major efficiency upgrade over Carlos Boozer, who underwhelmed last season and will now play a 6th man role off the bench, rotating between PF and CE. That should raise Boozer's efficiency and the two together will help make the post game far more palatable to watch than last year's grim Boozer/Timofey Mozgov pairing.
Center
Incoming: Walter Tavares (Draft), Viacheslav Kravstov (FA)
Retained: Robert Sacre
Let's just get this out of the way: Robert Sacre and Viacheslav Kravstov are scrubs that will only see time if one of the big 3 are injured. Now, as for Walter Tavares... although the 22 year old Cape Verdean was originally considered a reach in some quarters at #7, he's now become a huge favorite of a lot of front offices around the league, and the Lakers are among that number. He becomes an even more important selection given that this year's draft class is allegedly quite weak at the 5, and the team needed a young center to build around in the worst way. As Tavares grows into his game, he could very well end up one of the best centers in the league, and the best Laker center since Shaquille O'Neal.
Overview
Although, as said before, wins aren't going to be much more, if at all, plentiful than last year's 25 victory campaign. But McDermott and Tavares will be exciting rookies to watch who bring flair and promise to a largely moribund offense last year that was riddled with wasted shots and inability to score (25th in FG %; 24th in PPG). The defense will also be dramatically improved in the paint with the West/Tavares combo, although still quite weak on the perimeter. It'll nonetheless be a fun season to watch, particularly with the controversial Isaiah Thomas patrolling the sideline after a tired Del Harris retired.
2028
