Step one was landing a new head coach in Luke Walton—a favorite Lakers son and an exciting young hire who goes hand-in-hand with a forward-thinking philosophy.
Next was the draft, completed admirably with a pair of teenage talents: No. 2 pick Brandon Ingram and No. 32 Ivica Zubac. The former is a rangy three-and-D small forward the team so desperately needs and a potential All-Star in the making. The latter is a 7’1” Croatian center who is already endearing himself to Lakers fans and observers. Witness this from the team’s beat reporter Mike Trudell:
The two new prospects join a squad loaded with young talent, including D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr. and Anthony Brown.
Which brings us to the all-important step three.
“We have $60-70 million in free agency,” Walton said during his introductory presser, per Joey Ramirez of the Lakers official site. “We have one of the greatest fan bases of all-time. It’s an organization that free agents want to play for.”
Now it’s just a matter of identifying players that will best complement the young roster. A top-tier center, a multipurpose wing and a stretch shooter—all with veteran experience—would add much-deeded depth to a young and promising Purple and Gold core.
Swinging for the Fences
There is bound to be a level of realism in the Lakers' free-agent quest at some point, but that doesn’t mean they won’t start by swinging for the fences.
That means going after Kevin Durant. Sure it seems like a long shot. Didn’t L.A. finish dead last in the Western Conference this season?
