[raiderz4eva]

Lakers Offseason Recap:

The Lakers were the 10^th seed in the Western conference last year; a majordisappointment to say the least. With a super star like PF Cameron McKinney on the roster averaging 26.1ppg, 10.3rpg and 2.3bpg last year record was simply unacceptable for the fans in Los Angeles.Either the coaching staff needed to do a better job with the talent the Lakers had or the GM needed to surrounds better pieces around McKinney.

The Lakers organization felt like both their GM and Head coach were an issue as they fired GM Nick Walker and HC Kyle Waters at the end of the season. The Lakers held interviews with former Laker greats but in the end they hired Austin Stewart to be their new GM. After weeks of interviewing potential head coaching candidates nobody stood out. So GM Austin Stewart sat in the Buss Family Trust meeting room and offered to take on head coaching duties as well, and they couldnt say no. Sometimes the method of HC & GM pans out, most of the times it doesn’t. It’ll be something to look out as the season gets under way. You can tell that the Lakers brass doesn’t follow football because I would stay far away from this philosophy after seeing how Chip Kelly has plummeted the Philadelphia Eagles.

Can coach Stewart handle a full plate of coaching the Los Angeles Lakers and managing the roster and salary cap?

If getting rid of the whole coaching staff and management wasn’t bad enough, Laker fans sure thought the sky was falling when Adam Miller and Kris Starks announced their retirement. Hiring a first time GM/Head coach probably wasn’t the brightest of ideas if the Lakers had planned to keep them around for one more season. Austin Stewart definitely had his work cut out for him.


DRAFT:

The Lakers headed into the draft with a lot of questions, but came out looking like winners when it was all said and done. In the first round, Michigan PF Raymond Dawson fell right into their lap at number 11.This was the first sign that things were actually changing in Los Angeles. In previous drafts the Lakers drafted for need, sometimes it worked out, most times it didn’t. As stated earlier, the Lakers have the best power forward in the game, but that didn’t stop them from drafting Mr. Dawson. This was a win/win situation. The Michigan big man could possibly play the 5 in a small ball situations, start the 4 while McKinney goes to the 5, or simply be a solid contributor off the bench.


In the second round the Lakers drafted Duke SG D’Londo Richardson. He probably wont get any playing time in the beginning of the season but down the stretch with injuries and fatigue playing a factor during a long 81 game season, he could have a chance to display his athleticism and possibly become a key role player for them. Coach Stewart showed in his first draft that the basketball Gods were definitely on his side and while the picks weren’t the flashiest, most analysts would agree that they were smart and calculated.


Free Agency:

The Los Angeles Lakers biggest FA acquisition was SG Marcus Domino. Many pinned the Starks and Miller retirement on the hiring of Austin Stewart, but we have confirmation that Austin seeked them out and requested their assistance moving forward. When it was all said and done, Austin Stewart retained them as assistant coaches. Practices were still a few months a way but newly hired Assistant coach Kris Starks was contributing right away. Starks was the main reason Domino decided to join the Lakers. “He came out to Miami, visited the fam, worked out with me, got his butt kicked in 1 on 1 and said that I would be a great fit in LA. It just felt right,” Domino stated.

Well with all that money they offered him its no wonder it felt right. I personally don’t believe he wasn’t worth a max contract, but Cam (Batman) McKinney needed his Robin. Domino won Most Improved Player of the year on the Miami Heat last season tallying up 20.4 ppg, 4.8 apg, 5.8rbp, 1.1 bpg and1.4spg. The biggest question regarding Domino is whether or not he can continue his stellar performance next to the superstar likes of Cameron McKinney like he did with PF Stephen Braithwaite.

The Lakers also acquired PG William Jenkins and while he isn’t talked about much in the basketball community due to the Domino signing, I believe that Jenkins completes the big 3 in Los Angeles. This was essential in order for the Lakers to keep up with Warriors out west if they wanted to be serious playoff contenders.

Sleeper FA acquisition of the FA period might just be C Jackson McCullough, he is up their in age (32), but he won a championship last season, and brings must needed veteran leadership to this team after the retirement of Starks and Miller. Everyone thinks it will be Jackson McCullough starting at center, but some of me would like the Lakers go younger and give their first round pick Raymond Dawson a chance at the 5. The previous regime traded for Armando Boyd during the middle of the season last year, but its obvious that Austin Stewart isn’t sold on him after acquiring two more big men in Raymond Dawson and Jackson McCullough this offseason. Boyd could be a dark horse starting center later on in the season if he adapts to the system quickly. He is 27 years old and provides more longevity then Jackson McCullough.


Extra bits and pieces:

The Lakers starting 5 will only have 2 familiar faces in PF Cameron McKinney and 2015 2^nd year all rookie SF Kyle Redfield. While he is only 22 and still learning how to play in The Leauge , I do not expect a sophomore slump with him. He showed loads of potential during the end of the season and while he wont be the primary scorer, his athleticism, defense and consistent hustle is what makes him the talented young player that he is. Redfield was the Lakers 2^nd round pick last year, which makes this year a contract year for him. Maybe Marcus Domino can show him a thing or two about excelling in a contract year? I expect that the Lakers will find a way to resign him but if not, I’m sure he could be traded for a pretty penny before the deadline. While we are on the topic of trading, Ill just flat out say I think its best for the Lakers to go ahead and ship Carl Holmes elsewhere.

And last but not least lets talk PG Ramon Rivers. I am surprised that the 34-year-old shooting guard didn’t join the Starks and Miller retirement party. Im sure Laker fans are glad he didn’t, he showed that he can still run a offense and shoot well despite his age. Coming off the bench might take some time getting used to as Rivers has been a starter for most of his career. He has been a sound professional throughout his years in The League and I think it’ll all workout. I would look for the Lakers to add another reliable shooter who can spread the floor and be Rivers sidekick off the bench.

The Lakers on paper look like a playoff team, but as we know, never trust the paper.