Team Needs:
Defense, defense, and some more defense. Lakers ranked 30th at year-end allowing 111.5 points per game. Moreover, LA ranked 28th in blocks and 26th in defensive rebounding (23rd in defensive rebound percent). Additionally, the Lakers need consistent scorers and more playmakers to capitalize on Luke Walton’s expertise.
Free Agents:
- Tyler Ennis – UFA
- Metta World Peace – UFA
- Thomas Robinson – UFA
- Nick Young – UFA
Roster Gaps:
Defensive minded players, rim protectors, 2-way players, ball handlers, shot creators, and players who provide demonstrative leadership skills.
Tyler Lydon:
As for Tyler Lydon in TI’s draft prospect preview his skills were highlighted as:
"Tyler Lydon comes into the draft with the most important skill needed in today’s NBA: shooting. The 21-year old hit nearly 40% from three in his sophomore season while attempting over three a game. He couples that with a nice touch around the rim, a good trait to have for a perimeter-oriented big. Lydon is a fairly good athlete and does a good job of running in transition. He’s gained 34 pounds, mainly muscle mass, in four years but it hasn’t slowed him down on the court. Lydon is always active when he’s on the floor; he’s a good cutter and has a knack for finding loose rebounds. He had a stretch of 11 games in which he didn’t sub out once, showing his insane endurance. It’s hard to judge how Lydon is defensively because he played in Jim Boeheim’s famous zone at Syracuse. His basketball IQ is very high, and it helps him read other players very well."
Overview:
Leading up to the draft there has been plenty of drama in La La land. Showtime’s lead conductor is back at the helm and whether you like the move to ship out D’Angelo Russell or not it was smart. Russell never completely took to his role whether that falls on the youngster or circumstance. A change of scenery will do him good and landing with the steadying forces of Sean Marks and Kenny Atkinson will serve him well.
And, regardless of whether it pays dividends immediately or not, Magic Johnson got rid of the albatross Timofey Mozgov salary. Taking back Brook Lopez is a short-term situation with a long-term gain. He’ll be a free agent at next season’s end opening valuable cap space at precisely the time LA will be hunting to add not one, but two superstars.