Los Angeles Lakers 2016-17 Season Outlook: Back To The Basics

With an exciting new, young core now taking over the reins, the Los Angeles Lakers will officially begin their road back to prominence in 2016-17

Last Season’s Record: 17-65, 15th in Western Conference

It was a rough farewell tour for Kobe Bryant, but a fitting ending to the Mamba’s career as he sank those final free throws en route to his 60-point finale. And with the final buzzer came some tears, but also some relief for the embattled Los Angeles Lakers franchise.

The last three seasons have been rough, and letting Kobe walk through the door was the first step back to normalcy. They promptly used their top pick on swingman Brandon Ingram, and doubled down on the future.

They had a weird free agency period, but added some veterans to the roster to compliment all the youth they’ve got. But some of the contracts are crazy, but it’s the new normal in LA, where free agents may have to be lured here for some time.

Also, bringing in a new regime to boot should mean a full reset in LA. Luke Walton is brining his pace-and-space style with him from Golden State, and we should see the offense fully expand and move away from the awkward, clunky isolation play we saw all last season.

Oct 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) celebrates a three point shot by Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Projected Depth Chart:

PG: D’Angelo Russell, Jose Calderon, Marcelo Huertas

SG: Lou Williams, Jordan Clarkson, Nick Young

SF: Luol Deng, Brandon Ingram, Anthony Brown

PF: Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr.

C: Timofey Mozgov, Tarik Black, Yi Jianlian, Ivica Zubac

Now that looks like a breathing roster.

The Los Angeles Lakers finally have some kind of a plan on the roster, and the mixture of youth and veteran presence at each position is a nice situation. The Lakers now have a promising player at each position, in Russell, Clarkson, Ingram, Randle, and Zubac, and finally have a core that can excite their fan base.

The mixture of talent at each position isn’t overpowering, and there isn’t a star on the roster, but this squad can actually compete each night. And it looks like a roster that Walton can turn into a mimicked, low-dose version of the Warriors squads he had the last few years.

Mozgov and Deng compliment the system he wants, and will be there to instill it in all the young guys. This is a League Pass alert team right here.

Strengths: Young Talent /Shooting

Is potential a strength in the NBA? It certainly doesn’t correlate into winning in this league, as we’ve seen. But the Los Angeles Lakers finally have some spaced shooting.

Deng is an above-average shooter, and Ingram has the ability to get hot from deep. Russell has the long ball, and so does almost every guard on the roster. This team is going to let it fly early and often in Walton’s new system, and they have all the tools to do so.

This also looks like a team that can spread the floor more than we’re used to seeing in LA over the last few years. Mozgov is no Andrew Bogut, but he can see the floor and play pick-and-roll games with all the guards.

He’s also a solid underneath passer for Randle, and can get the offense moving with fluidity again. Deng is a solid distributor, and the veteran presence of Calderon should rub off on Russell of how to incorporate his teammates a little more. The passing game opens up a lot more, and see some better brands of offense. There’s only so much isolation ball that can happen, and I imagine we’ve seen the last of that style in LA.

Oct 9, 2016; Ontario, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) is defended by Denver Nuggets forward Juancho Hernangomez (41) and forward Jarnell Stokes (12) at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The Lakers defeated the Nuggest 124-115. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Weaknesses: Inexperience

So about that whole potential thing. The Los Angeles Lakers are oozing with young talent, but that’s exactly what it is. Young and inexperienced. The Lakers feature a lineup that could start as many as three or four first or second year players.

The defense was lapsing last year with Russell on the floor, and he has to get better in one on one situations. Ingram is thin and not strong, and he’s going to get bullied, and going to have a massive learning curve. And Randle still has his lapses. It’s going to be growing pains in LA, and it won’t get any easier soon.

They’ll need to be in this for the long haul.

The offense is going to be a struggle until they get the hang of Walton’s new system. And they’ve got turnover problems with Russell, as he averaged close to four a game. Maybe it’s a byproduct of the bad offense he was in a season ago, but it looks like a problem. Calderon should give the bench some added life, and the second unit looks good.

But there isn’t a primary scorer on the team, and if it’s Deng, there may be some issues.

The defense is going to be the big problem, however, with the youth of the team also meaning that they aren’t going to be playing NBA level defense yet. Randle isn’t the best defender, and Ingram isn’t good either. Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson aren’t the best, and Russell hasn’t matured. Deng and Mozgov are the only proven defenders.

And the hope is that Mozgov gives rim protection that Hibbert couldn’t last year.

Most Important Player(s): D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram

The first goes without saying. D’Angelo Russell is the focal point of this team now. And he showed flashes of being a solid point guard last season. But he has to limit the turnovers. And on this team, just five assists probably won’t cut it.

Russell has to turn his game into a true playmaker, and has to shore up his defensive struggles. Not to mention his lackluster prescence in the locker room, which last year lurked more on the side of a distraction. If he can improve in those areas, it would put some minds at rest that the Los Angeles Lakers have a centerpiece, and truly make this team competitive again.

With Brandon Ingram, the Lakers need someone that can handle the bulk of the scoring. Not this year, but Ingram has to prove that he is the offensive stud that they hoped he could be when they pulled the trigger on him at 2.

But above any of that, Ingram has to show that he has the ability to be a solid defensive player, and see if he has the tools to do so. Ingram is long and athletic, and strength isn’t uber important in basketball, but he has to show some defensive ability.

Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton looks on during overtime against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. The Portland Trail Blazers won 109-106. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

What’s a Successful Season?

Judging by the last few seasons, to an average franchise, it would just be winning again. But the Los Angeles Lakers and their fans are a special breed.

The expectation is probably competing for the postseason. But for me, a successful season is a semblance of winning. Improving their win total and hovering around 30 wins would be a great improvement.

As long as Russell and Ingram get playing time, and Randle and Clarkson develop, this has to be the right kind of season. Walton will get to build his roster, and the Lakers will be winning soon enough.

Prediction:

28-54, 4th in Pacific

13th in Western Conference