And while the franchise still views itself as an ideal landing spot for top free agents, the Lakers have come around to understanding that in order to build the next generation of contenders, it must look to the June 25 NBA draft as well.
As it plays out the string of what may be its worst season ever, the 13-41 Lakers are counting on a solid draft to help jump-start the long road back to respectability. Much of where they draft and who they select will depend on their final record and how the ping-pong balls bounce at the May 19 draft lottery.
As much as L.A. may have wanted to acquire point guard Goran Dragic (per ESPN's Marc Stein) from the Phoenix Suns, they didn’t feel it was worth giving up a potential top lottery pick for a player who will be a free agent this summer and could still end up signing with the team in the offseason.
And so this upcoming draft, thought to be exceptionally strong, shapes up as one of the most important and intriguing in recent memory for L.A. Regardless of how fans feel about the eventual return of Kobe Bryant and the potential of Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson, these Lakers are virtually starting from scratch.
As head coach Byron Scott told ESPNLA.com’s Baxter Holmes:
We need pieces at every position to get to where we want to get to. Obviously, we’re not going to be able to solve that problem in one year or one summer. It’s going to take us a little time.
Time is something the 36-year-old Bryant does not have. He is clearly not the future of the Lakers, though he could end up playing another two or three years at a high level if he stays away from further injury.
The team’s future rests with its ability to choose w...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
