Biggest 2015 Offseason Needs for the Los Angeles Lakers

As 2014-15 winds down, it is not a stretch to say that the Los Angeles Lakers have needs across the board. That said, some holes are more glaring than others.

First, a quick rundown on guaranteed contracts and team options for next season: $25 million is tied up in the final year of Kobe Bryant’s contract—the longtime franchise star will be returning for his 20th NBA campaign after another long injury layoff.

Small forward/shooting guard Nick Young has three years left at roughly $5.4 million annually—Young also missed a large portion of the season with injuries to his thumb and knee.

Power forward Julius Randle will return after missing his rookie season with a broken leg and will earn $3,132,140, while 6'11" forward Ryan Kelly, experiencing a thoroughly disappointing sophomore effort, has one more guaranteed year left at $1,724,250.


The team has a $9 million option on their combo center/power forward Jordan Hill, plus second-year nonguaranteed deals for rookies Jordan Clarkson, Jabari Brown and Tarik Black at $845,059 each. L.A. also has an option on utility center Robert Sacre, at $981,348.

Of this group, Clarkson is a lock to return. Black also seems quite probable. Brown, who played alongside Clarkson at Missouri has a solid chance, while Sacre's future with the team seems up in the air. 

While it is likely the team will add depth at all five positions through the draft and free agency, the most obvious needs are in three places—center, small forward and point guard.

 

Center

As the Lakers debate exercising Hill’s option, and whether to try to re-sign Ed Davis, they will look toward the upcoming draft for other possible solutions. The team is locked into fourth position for the lottery drawing on May 19. But as Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times tweets, that doesn't quite guarantee keeping the top-five protect...

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