When evaluating what the Los Angeles Lakers did this offseason, no one truly knows how these new pieces will come together. However, the foundation is set with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves as their backcourt and Walker Kessler manning the middle.
The challenge is finding quality role players to put around them and this upcoming season serves as a trial run. Former Lakers champion Danny Green shared his thoughts about the new-look team and what he is concerned about.
“I mean, at first I wasn’t sure where they were going the direction and then everything happened so fast. And I was like, ‘Damn, OK. This piece, that piece.’ And I liked a lot of the pieces they picked up. I know they’re young, so not super experienced. I think they’re going to be a pretty good regular season team. Playoffs, I don’t know because of the youth and experience, but I like the moves they made, I like the pieces they have. They have more depth, they got younger and faster. They can get out and run a little more.”
When it comes to evaluating which new players can come in and make an immediate impact, Green mentioned a few names.
“There’s a couple of people, man. Obviously we know what Austin and Luka can do and then you got a lot of heavy on Walker Kessler. But I’m looking at guys like the rook, Cameron Carr, but like Ziaire (Williams) and Mamu (Sandro Mamukelashvili). Like those two guys, Collin Sexton, a defensive presence that could come off the bench or start, be a point guard for them. Those three guys, to me, can be X-factors for the group, like what Jake (LaRavia) was last year. Jake can still carry that over and be better, but I think those three guys are guys that I’m looking at that can probably make a jump and make this team dangerous, if they progress.”
Kessler was the Lakers’ big acquisition this summer, so eyes will be on him to see if he can fix their defensive issues.
While on paper the Lakers made a bunch of solid additions, it remains to be seen just how it all will play out on the court.
Danny Green discusses whether Lakers ownership drama matters to players
Despite being in the dog days of the offseason, the Lakers continue to find themselves in the news cycle with their recent sale. With Jeanie Buss fighting to keep her Governor title, taking her siblings to court, Danny Green spoke to if this ownership drama will matter to players.
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