Everything You Need to Know About the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2015-16 NBA Season

Coming off their worst record ever, the Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2015-16 NBA campaign hoping to find their way back into the highly competitive Western Conference playoffs. The storied franchise has now missed the postseason two years in a row—a third wipeout would be historically bad and completely unacceptable.

L.A. trudged to a 21-61 finish last spring, following on the heels of their 27-55 debacle in 2013-14.

There have been some silver linings in this epic free-fall with two straight trips to the NBA draft lottery. The Lakers now find themselves with an intriguing and evolving roster—one that tilts toward youth while still including a handful of name-brand veterans.

Chief among the wily ones is Kobe Bryant—one of basketball’s enduring legends whose decline in recent years has been precipitous. After three major injuries in as many seasons, the biggest question is whether the five-time Finals winner can remain healthy and prove skeptics wrong for his 20th—and perhaps final—go-around.

 

Key Additions/Subtractions 



Additions: D’Angelo Russell (draft), Roy Hibbert (trade), Lou Williams (free agency), Brandon Bass (free agency), Marcelo Huertas (free agency), Metta World Peace (free agency), Larry Nance Jr. (draft), Anthony Brown (draft) Subtractions: Jordan Hill (free agency), Jeremy Lin (free agency), Ed Davis (free agency), Carlos Boozer (free agency), Wesley Johnson (free agency), Wayne Ellington (free agency)  L.A. selected Russell with the No. 2 overall pick in June. The one-and-done point guard from Ohio State has great size at 6’5” and a 6’9 1/2” wingspan to go along with preternatural passing skills.

But the rookie’s first preseason has seen mixed results in modest minutes, both as a starter and reserve. The next-generation floor general is still learning his role, as ...

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