The team still has to fill the rest of its roster slots. In the rough-and-tumble Western Conference, the playoffs are far from a certainty.
The Next Head Coach
Perhaps the next order of business should be hiring a head coach. Per Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News, the decision on the team's next sideline leader could be coming up soon.
Rumors have circulated that former Laker Byron Scott is the front-runner for the job, but until something is official, this is just another uncertainty for the franchise.
Kobe Bryant has already given his endorsement for Scott, so that's a solid sign.
Per ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin, Bryant said:
He was my rookie mentor when I first came into the league. So I had to do things like get his doughnuts and run errands for him and things like that. We've had a tremendously close relationship throughout the years. So, obviously I know him extremely well. He knows me extremely well. I've always been a fan of his.
A new coach's success is directly tied into his star player's buy-in, so Scott would have a nice head start on rebuilding the Lakers.
Wing Help
Per Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Lakers are among a group of teams to show a slight interest in signing Lance Stephenson. Deveney writes:
Several teams mentioned in connection with Stephenson, including Boston, Chicago and the Lakers, have not been serious in their pursuit, the source said, while others could register late interest. Perhaps now that the team has lost out on Carmelo Anthony, and Gasol has bolted for the Bulls, that in...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
