RealGM

The 2017-2018 Lakers have been rebuilt with a good nucleus of very good talent; however more work has to be done to complete the process and it will not happen overnight. The Laker community of residences should not be impatient and give this time to gel and work on the fundamentals and team continuity. Especially on defense and rebounding are key areas that require attention. This team can score and do it very well.

The Lakers right now are in a position where they can literally trade away their 2 biggest pieces in Ingram+Ball and build a contender today....but thats not the greatest idea.
Lebron coming to LA makes us a "championship team" but I dont think it really protects us for the future.

Best case scenario- Keep Ingram+Ball, let the Warriors die down, and then rise.

It has to start with defense. The Lakers were last in opponents Fg percentage, third to last in points allowed, and last in opponents assists. I remember Phil once saying that each player has to defend a man and a half on the court. Maybe Luke can implement this philosophy. Also perhaps hire World Peace as a defensive instructor on the coaching staff.

Defense, then defense, after that more defense, and then, keep improving our offense. We ain't going anywhere being the worst defensive team in the NBA.

The only way you can beat an offensive juggernaut like the Warriors is by dragging them into a slow-paced, low scoring, bruising game... But honestly, I'm not even sure that's possible in the new NBA with how the game is officiated today.
You'd have to have elite defense at all positions and probably one or 2 guys that could hit 2 pt shots no matter who or how many were guarding them. Think Shaq or Kareem or MJ or maybe LeBron.
Youd also have to find a way to keep the other team off the foul line...

Like the 00s Pistons, or Spurs that came a little later... Boring teams that punched you in the mouth and slowed you down...
But like I said, everything I see today, makes me think the NBA doesn't want those teams to exist.

So basically, as long as the Warriors keep it together, being a true "Contender" is going to be a very high bar to set.
Not to sound fatalistic... I'm not, I always believe the Lakers are just a step away from the championship... But this season is a little different.

Ingram, if he ever reaches his full potential, is probably realistically, 3 seasons away from being a true championship piece in this league... Ball is at least that far away... Randle is a role player. KCP and Brooke are likely not long term pieces... The rest of the guys are filler.

So, we're likely another superstar and a few years away from truly contending... If we can acquire LeBron and another star this summer, maybe we can knock on the door sooner, but I think until Ingram and Ball are legit NBA stars, we're not realistic Championship contenders...

And yes, once those other pieces are in place, we need to be great on both ends of the floor... All our great Laker teams were good to exceptional defensive teams...

That said, the Lakers will never let themselves become the 00's Pistons or Spurs... No matter how many championships in may mean... Way too slow and boring.