Not Much Hope For Draft Help
That’s great for the headlines, but a changing of the guard mid season is not always an immediate fix. You see, the team used the 2016 free agency to sign Luol Deng and Timofey Mozgov to very lucrative contracts. At the trade deadline, the team traded top scorer Lou Williams to the Houston Rockets for Corey Brewer and a 2017 first round pick. At 28, the pick has far less value to the team than their own first.
But that willingness to deal indicated the intentions of these Lakers to tank for the remainder of this season to retain their pick. But the 2017 NBA Draft is loaded with back court talent. The needs of the Los Angeles Lakers? Front court.
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Lakeside Life Not As Appealing
With the team committing so many dollars for so little production with both Deng and Mozgov, the team is somewhat shackled to both players. The team has shown no ability to improve defensively, and the offense has taken a hit with the loss of Williams. In 2017, look for improvement on the offense (at least, in terms of recovering from the loss of Williams) but do not expect defensive strides.
The Lakers first round pick in 2017 will likely focus on a shooting guard. But any rookie will find himself playing behind the like of Nick Young and Jordan Clarkson. Even if the Lakers move on from Nick Young, that is one more productive player’s role needing filled.
In short, the 2017-2018 Los Angeles Lakers will struggle to improve beyond 25 wins next season. The team will likely find competition in that part of the NBA rankings, with both the Sacramento Kings and the Brooklyn Nets struggling to improve as well. |
But the struggles of the 2017-2018 Lakers is music to the fans of the Philadelphia 76ers.