With the Los Angeles Lakers’ season now over, the focus and attention immediately shifts to the offseason and free agency. It’s the worst kept secret in the league that the franchise will be pursuing big name free agents like LeBron James and Paul George.
Needless to say, there could be some major changes made to the team Luke Walton is coaching next season. One reason that adding a big name in free agency seems like a real possibility is because of the growth the young players showed.
Walton’s improvement and maturation as a coach throughout the season has seemingly flown under the radar, however, as he has made significant strides in the handling of his players. Channing Frye has witnessed this first hand since being traded.
He was asked whether James would want to play for Walton and eventually opened up after some initial trepidation. “Am I allowed to talk about that?” Frye asked aloud before continuing.
“I’m going to say this, I think any superstar would like to play for Luke. I think he’s a players’ coach. I think when you talk about the continuity with the president, owner, GM, a lot of guys are looking for that.
“I think you’re looking for a culture, I think you’re looking for a guy who’s intense and wants to win now. I think his system is open for learning and growth.”
Frye also left some praise for the team itself, as well as anything else he could think of. “With the team that they have, as young as they are, being 10th in the league as fast as they play, is pretty dang good,” Frye added. “If that’s not enough, this is also the Lakers. You get to play in L.A. and Staples Center. If that’s not enough then it is what it is.”
Quiter frankly, Frye did about as good of a sales pitch for the Lakers as could be asked. He has previously said that the he believes stars will want to play with this young core, and has already offered his services for helping with any possible recruiting of James or others.
Perhaps he needs to be in the meeting rooms with Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka this summer as a closer of sorts.
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