Topic: We wonder whether the draft or free agency is more important this summer for the Los Angeles Lakers’ rebuild.
Context: The Lakers are bad. There is no way around that point and if the team plans on turning things around anytime soon, this summer will be extremely important. The Lakers have multiple draft picks as well as ample cap room, giving them different avenues with which to improve the roster.
This year’s NBA Draft is extremely deep. The top four prospects are all expected to be able to make an immediate impact and the Lakers are currently slated to have a selection in that range. They also own the Houston Rockets first-round pick which will be in the 20’s as well as their own second-round pick which will be in the early 30’s.
Free agency also has a lot of options at every position of need for the Lakers. Point guards like Rajon Rondo and Goran Dragic, wings like Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris, and bigs like Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, and Kevin Love could all be targets to bring to Los Angeles this summer.
Both free agency and the draft offer options that could help the Lakers in both the short and long term, but which is most important this year?
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Verdict: We went to Twitter to ask the loyal Lakers Nation followers whether the draft or free agency is more important for the Lakers this summer. These are some of the responses:
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation Definitely the draft. Lakers need to build this organically so championship success is sustainable #LNDebate
— Kennon Keith (@KennonKeith) March 14, 2015
Free agency. We have some good young players. We need proven players to contend for a playoff spot. No guarantees in the draft. #LNDebate
— Sam Vijeh (@samv7oh) March 14, 2015
@TheeCoreyH #LNDebate with all the $ we have its free agency. Need more hidden treasures like JC with sprinkle of vets.
— Ground_Rat (@Ground_Rat) March 14, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation I believe free agency itis easier to have already developed players then trying to develop young talent #LNDebate
— Anthony Stachnik (@Anthonyisamazin) March 14, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation FA's and trade that's how they won there last 5 titles aka signing Shaq and trading for Gasol and Kobe #LNDebate
— Brian Bird (@BViper24) March 14, 2015
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation #LNDebate The draft is most important. Finding young, cheap talent that can be the future of the franchise.
— Jason Helmstetler (@Helmstetler828) March 14, 2015
@TheeCoreyH def draft because our immediate/long term future is tied to it. use pick to get player or use as an asset to trade. #LNDebate
— yung persicus (@stayfreshi) March 14, 2015
@TheeCoreyH #LNDebate has to be FA. Even if we get pick # 1, hardly makes us a title contender.
— Sportsman Spiff (@Sportsman_Spiff) March 14, 2015
The fans are extremely split on this topic as there were equal responses on both sides of the question. Many fans even said that both were equally important which is another argument in itself.
If I had to choose one, however, I would probably lean towards the draft for a couple of different reasons.
First, the Lakers need to find a long-term cornerstone and that is more likely to be found in the draft than free agency. Second, the draft comes much cheaper. Getting a hit in the draft doesn’t sacrifice the cap space that a major free agent would.
Both will play a major role in the Lakers getting back to championship contention, but with multiple picks, the draft has to be the Lakers’ biggest focus and will be most important in the rebuild this summer.
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