Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > ESPN Experts Give Lakers Excellent Offseason Grade
Lakers News

ESPN Experts Give Lakers Excellent Offseason Grade

Corey Hansford
Published: 08/01/2017
2 Min Read
Lakers Nation News And Rumors Recap: Numerous Questions Surrounding No. 2 Pick
John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News (SCNG)
SHARE

This summer was the most productive in recent memory for the Los Angeles Lakers. In their first offseason Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka pulled off multiple moves that put the Lakers in a better spot both in the short and long term.

Even with their top priority being to preserve their 2018 salary cap space, the Lakers made some big additions via free agency (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope), trade (Brook Lopez) and the draft (Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma).

ESPN’s Kevin Pelton recently graded the offseasons of every Western Conference team and was very high on the Lakers, giving them an A- for their work this summer:

The best part of the Lakers’ offseason is how it sets them up to be players in the summer of 2018. The Lakers used D’Angelo Russell as a carrot to get the Brooklyn Nets to take on the contract of Timofey Mozgov, clearing nearly $20 million in 2018 cap space. To preserve that room, the Lakers used this year’s space to sign shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a lucrative one-year deal.

The Lakers will pair Caldwell-Pope in the backcourt with No. 2 pick Lonzo Ball, who lived up to the hype in Las Vegas. The Lakers also got great production from No. 27 pick Kyle Kuzma as they won the NBA Summer League championship.

The Lakers undoubtedly have made themselves a team to watch this upcoming season. Jordan Clarkson says the playoffs are a goal for the team and while that will be tough in the loaded Western Conference, the Lakers believe they have the talent to make a run.

Once the summer of 2018 rolls around, the Lakers will focus on making major additions as LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and DeMarcus Cousins will all be free agents. Very few teams are able to pull off what the Lakers did, but Magic and Pelinka are undoubtedly happy about executing their plan.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Los Angeles LakersMagic JohnsonRob Pelinka
ByCorey Hansford
Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?