The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping to rebuild sooner rather than later and will have an opportunity to do just that this summer. When the calendar finally turns to July, the Lakers will have the chance to sign a pair of superstar free agents, which would theoretically thrust them right back into title contention in the loaded Western Conference.
But what if they fail? What if they don’t land a pair of stars like LeBron James and Paul George when free agency begins in July? On this episode of the LN Podcast, Trevor Lane and Hannah Kulik open up the mailbag to discuss that topic and many others.
Clearly, the Lakers will have to have a backup plan, but what might that be? Are there other targets worth pursuing in free agency or will the team simply opt to retain their own players and hope that another year together will allow them to improve thanks to consistency and natural development?
Plus, what will happen with Julius Randle, who will be a restricted free agent? Will the Lakers be able to bring him back next season or will another team swoop in and offer a contract that they aren’t willing to match?
The Lakers will also need their young players to develop if they hope to make a leap next season, and Brandon Ingram will be of particular importance thanks to his versatility. He showed flashes of absolute brilliance this season, but just how much better can Ingram get this summer as he prepares for his third year in the NBA?
Finally, if the Lakers don’t make the playoffs next season, could that put head coach Luke Walton on the hot seat?
All that and much more, just click the player above.
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