Lakers actually improved.

[RingsDontLie]

I think Lakers did. Let me give my reasons. D'angelo missed a lot of games last season due to his knee issues and he didn't exactly play well when he did play. Lopez is considerably a better player than DLo overall. So we added him in that trade. And if the Lakers get Monta, Waiters, or Crawford, it gives us more depth than last season.

I think Ingram makes a leap next season, and I think Ball will make the team better. His presence will support ball movement...so I think he becomes a big impact player just on that alone, not on individual stats.

So I think Lakers will improve in the win column and whether we complete for the last two playoff spots depends on Ingram's growth, and Ball's impact.

[Joel Embust]

Waiters signed with the Heat. Monta and Crawford don't make the Lakers better.

The keys to the offense are in the hands of a rookie that isn't known as a scorer and their core is young and inexperienced with some question marks per prospect.

So I disagree with the notion that the Lakers will be fighting for a playoff spot in a STACKED conference.

[LAKESHOW]

Speak it into existence!

[Pythagoras]

I think Lakers did. Let me give my reasons. D'angelo missed a lot of games last season due to his knee issues and he didn't exactly play well when he did play. Lopez is considerably a better player than DLo overall. So we added him in that trade. And if the Lakers get Monta, Waiters, or Crawford, it gives us more depth than last season.

I think Ingram makes a leap next season, and I think Ball will make the team better. His presence will support ball movement...so I think he becomes a big impact player just on that alone, not on individual stats.

So I think Lakers will improve in the win column and whether we complete for the last two playoff spots depends on Ingram's growth, and Ball's impact.

C'mon man why are you doing this to yourself. The team most certainly did not improve. They're likely the worst team in the league. It sucks but it is what it is. Our team's entire plan hinges on killing it in FA next year. Don't set yourself up for any expectations this year or you're going to be sorely disappointed.

[Frank Dux]

the Lakers got a little better, but pretty much every team in the western conference is as good or much improved. Even the Kings made some moves.

The Lakers might be a little better, but with everyone else improving, It's not going to be a good season for the Lakers.

[otwok]

Lakers may have improved but they'll still be a terrible team and miss the playoffs. Not sure if the Lakers own their pick next year, but whoever owns the pick will be getting a lottery pick.

[reload141]

Lakers competing for a spot in the West playoffs? Boy oh boy! WOWEE!

Pass me some of what you are having mate.

[tocooks101]

I would have liked to see them try to get worse.

[wutevahung]

I am a lakers fan, and I think Lakers are currently the worst team in the west right now. We have some youngsters with potentials, but we still have a lot to figure out. There aren't many good vets on the team, and it is hard to say how many starter level players we even have. As of last season, you could argue that there were 0, or 1 (Randle).

[spicy6]

It depends. I think we'll see actual development out of randle, zuu, clarkson and ingram this season. Cant wait for it but offseason wise we havent improved. Lonzo is still a question despite the fact I think he'll be a very good player in the league. It all depends on the players growth the coming season.

[RingsDontLie]

Waiters signed with the Heat. Monta and Crawford don't make the Lakers better.

The keys to the offense are in the hands of a rookie that isn't known as a scorer and their core is young and inexperienced with some question marks per prospect.

So I disagree with the notion that the Lakers will be fighting for a playoff spot in a STACKED conference.

Seems more top heavy actually, as some teams have actually become worse...jazz/clippers for example. Not buying the Cousins/Davis pelicans team either. And I think Minnessota is a question mark. Butler is great, not sure how Wiggins and Butler share the floor though.

[LightTheBeam]

LaVar Ball is that you?

Lakers look setup better than last year. That being said, Crawford/Monta are no better than Lou Will. I wouldn't expect Ball to make a significant impact on wins his rookie season. Brook isn't winning games just ask Brooklyn. I see the improvement as Ingram making a leap that being said I think its safe to say Lakers are bottom 5 team in the league.

[Prez]

The Lakers are not making the playoffs lmao

[Effigy]

Won't matter, the west is too brutal this year.

[LightTheBeam]

Waiters signed with the Heat. Monta and Crawford don't make the Lakers better.

The keys to the offense are in the hands of a rookie that isn't known as a scorer and their core is young and inexperienced with some question marks per prospect.

So I disagree with the notion that the Lakers will be fighting for a playoff spot in a STACKED conference.

Seems more top heavy actually, as some teams have actually become worse...jazz/clippers for example. Not buying the Cousins/Davis pelicans team either. And I think Minnessota is a question mark. Butler is great, not sure how Wiggins and Butler share the floor though.

You actually think Lakers will be better than the Jazz, Clippers, Minnesota or even the Pelicans?

[ILikeLollies]

The enemy of my enemy is my friend so get that #1 or #6 draft slot please.

[Frank Dux]

Waiters signed with the Heat. Monta and Crawford don't make the Lakers better.

The keys to the offense are in the hands of a rookie that isn't known as a scorer and their core is young and inexperienced with some question marks per prospect.

So I disagree with the notion that the Lakers will be fighting for a playoff spot in a STACKED conference.

Seems more top heavy actually, as some teams have actually become worse...jazz/clippers for example. Not buying the Cousins/Davis pelicans team either. And I think Minnessota is a question mark. Butler is great, not sure how Wiggins and Butler share the floor though.

Jazz, Clippers, and Pelicans might be slightly worse but still have much better rosters than the Lakers. Trust me, I wish it wasn't that way, but the Lakers backcourt looks like a disaster, we're putting our hopes on two rookies and an inefficient Clarkson.

We have some nice pieces, but this isn't our year.

[RingsDontLie]

LaVar Ball is that you?

Lakers look setup better than last year. That being said, Crawford/Monta are no better than Lou Will. I wouldn't expect Ball to make a significant impact on wins his rookie season. Brook isn't winning games just ask Brooklyn. I see the improvement as Ingram making a leap that being said I think its safe to say Lakers are bottom 5 team in the league.

As much as I like George HIll I don't see how the Kings are better. Do you have the Kings in the bottom 5, because if you do, then your statement might be reasonable.

[MGB8]

Playoffs are hoping too much in the West for the Lakers.

You've got to like what they are building - a possible landing spot for PG13 next year (unless OKC convinces him to stay), a few nice young talents.

But the West is so loaded - the Lakers have no shot. You obviously aren't getting past the Warriors with Curry, Klay, Durant, Green, or the Rockets with CP3, Harden, Ariza and Anderson, or the Spurs with Leonard, etc.

But you are also not getting past the Blazers with Lillard and McCullom, or the Wolves with Butler, Wiggins, Teague and KAT.

You aren't getting past the Clippers with Gallo, Blake and Jordan. Or the Jazz with Gobert, Rubio, Favors and Hood. Not getting past the Nuggets with Jokic, Milsap, Harris, Barton, Chandler and Murray, either. Or the Pelicans with Cousins, Davis and Jrue Holiday.
Not sure that you can get past Dallas, with the bones of Dirk, newby Smith, Barnes, Wes Matthews and in all likelihood Noel.

Maybe the Grizz are vulnerable with Conley, Gasol, and a lot of question marks. The Kings are a bunch of young guys too, with Hill and Z-Bo to guide them. And Phoenix is still in transition.

But there are still 10ish teams in the West that are absolutely, positively, better than the Lakers.

[TankShow]

I'll be honest with you I wasn't a big D'Angelo Russell fan. At least not anymore. Was thrilled when the Lakers drafted him, but really soured on him over these last two years. Whether it was the atititude, entitlement, lack of leadership, inconsistency, horrific defense I was happy to see the Lakers move on and allow another team to deal with his B.S.

I'm not expecting the playoffs this year, but I do expect the Lakers to be a lot more exciting to watch, play better team ball, think Lonzo will contend and likely win Rookie of the Year. He's gonna have the ball in his hands a lot and the kid is just a great, really special playmaker who makes his teammates better something Mr. Ice in his Veins never did. For all the bitching about his shot the kid was a pretty good shooter and was able to shoot with range as well. Some tweaks and adjustments are needed, but think he'll be fine. He'll need to continue to work on his defense, but he's gonna be a terrific point guard in this league.

Brandon Ingram really showed his potential at the end of last season and think he's gonna be a terrific two way player in this league. He's starting to learn how to use his length and size defensively, started to get more aggressive offensively, and I think it's only a matter of time before that kid puts it together.

Brook Lopez will be a good mentor for Zubac, the young promising Croatian center. Realistically the Lakers first legit low post threat and probably just big man in general since Pau Gasol. He'll give the team a legit scoring option. Somewhat of a go to offensive weapon.

The rest of the roster is in flux and that's obviously an issue, but I feel very confident that our two building blocks will give the fans plenty of reason to be optimistic for the future and make this team an attractive destination in free agency.