Lakers News: Luke Walton Acknowledges ‘Goals Could Change’ As 2018-19 Season Winds To A Close

Matthew Moreno
2 Min Read
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

After multiple seasons spent focusing on developing their young players, expectations changed for head coach Luke Walton and the Los Angeles Lakers when LeBron James signed a four-year contract.

While the organization still stressed a need for patience, not only to allow the young core to continue improving but also for a new-look roster to develop chemistry, pressure to compete multiplied tenfold.

Injuries derailed the Lakers’ season, and they’re now on the verge of missing the playoffs for a sixth consecutive year. A loss to the Denver Nuggets marked a fourth in a row and sixth in eight games since the All-Star break.

“The goals could change,” Walton acknowledged. “With our group, even when the season started, our goals were to get in the playoffs and make some noise, but we rely on so many young players (that) player development was still a big part of what we needed to do this season.

“Heading into next season, we needed growth from young players. Now, the amount and priority, that might change as we go down this final stretch of the season. But for now we’re trying to win.”

One of the forthcoming changes he alluded to appears to have been a decision to scale back James’ time on the court. Indications are he won’t play more than 32 minutes a game and will sit at least one contest in their three remaining back-to-back scenarios.

Moreover, Walton said he would give the likes of Alex Caruso, Moritz Wagner and Johnathan Williams more playing time if others aren’t providing the type of necessary effort.

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers games, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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