Drastic changes appear to be on the horizon for the Los Angeles Lakers with the team planning to build a new training center according to Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times:
The Lakers are planning to build a new training center within a quarter-mile of their current El Segundo location, The Times has learned.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) April 2, 2014
The team’s intend to build the new training center in order to upgrade to a more modern facility according to Bresnahan:
Lakers looking for something more modern…not to mention eye-catching for future free agents. Clippers' facility, btw, is state-of-the-art.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) April 2, 2014
The Lakers intend to own the new facility instead of being a tenant like they currently are with the Toyota Center in El Segundo:
Lakers would also be owners of this facility (no date on when it would happen). Won't be tenants like now at Toyota Center (owned by AEG).
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) April 2, 2014
Along with a new training facility being in the works in the near future, the Lakers are on the verge of beginning the rebuilding process in the twilight of the Kobe Bryant era.
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The team has nine games left in a forgettable season that might go down as the worst in franchise history. Despite ending on a disappointing note, the Lakers will have the cap room to be big players in free agency and will have a high pick in the upcoming 2014 NBA Draft.
So along with a state-of-the-art practice facility being built in the near future, the team will try and make the right moves in the off-season to get the franchise back on track. There will be a lot of pressure on the team to rebuild quickly, but if any franchise is able to do it, it’s the Lakers, especially with a new facility to help draw free agents to Los Angeles.
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