Lakers News: Jeremy Lin, Julius Randle and Latest Moves from Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Lakers finished the 2013-14 season with an abysmal 27-55 record, but the franchise is determined to turn the corner this season and return to the NBA postseason once again.

With Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash coming back this season healthier and the organization still in search of a new head coach, Los Angeles has been active this offseason. Not only did the team trade for high-priced point guard Jeremy Lin, but the Lakers also already signed No. 7 overall pick Julius Randle to his rookie contract.

Here are the latest pieces of news from the Lakers and what each addition means for the franchise moving forward.

 



Jeremy Lin Trade Completed

The Houston Rockets were determined to move point guard Lin’s contract this offseason, and it was the Lakers that were willing to eat the over-priced salary and add the talented player for the right return.

Los Angeles traded away the rights to center Sergei Lishchuk for Lin, a future first-round pick and a 2015 second-round pick. This was a no-brainer deal for the Lakers and further proof that the organization is heading in the right direction.



When asked about the trade, general manager Mitch Kupchak told The Associated Press, via ESPN, about what the deal means for Los Angeles on and off the court:

This trade allows us to acquire a solid player who will make us a better team, as well as draft picks to improve our team in the future, while at the same time allowing us to maintain financial flexibility. In addition to what he'll bring us on the court, we think Jeremy will be warmly embraced by our fans and our community.

The Lakers needed to add depth at point guard to make up for the loss of Steve Blake and the injury concerns that plague Nash. Lin is more than capable of starting or coming off the bench, and he can teach a young player like Kendall Marshall how to play th...

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