After failing to make the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers are in unfamiliar territory. During this rebuilding process, the franchise has drafted Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson and will have the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
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With the Lakers looking to rebuild themselves into championship contenders, general manager Mitch Kupchak discussed rebuilding through the draft with Bleacher Report Radio on Sunday:
Mitch Kupchak tells us on NBA Sunday Tip, "We don’t have …. the time to methodically and slowly build through the draft." @br_radio
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) May 24, 2015
Throughout this process, Kupchak has maintained the Lakers can rebuild through the draft, free agency and trade. While the franchise will not mortgage their future for what may be Kobe Bryant’s final season, they will explore all options in hopes of accelerating the process.
Heading into the off-season, the Lakers will have three draft picks on June 25. With the team beginning pre-draft workouts on Tuesday, Kupchak says the team could bring in ’50-60 players’ for their late first round and early second round picks.
In addition to the three draft picks, the Lakers will be players once again in free agency with ample cap space. Los Angeles will be able to offer one max contract in a free agency class that features Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Monroe, Jimmy Butler (restricted), Tobias Harris (restricted) and Goran Dragic.
[divide]Lakers Nation NBA Draft Podcast: Lottery Results
