The Los Angeles Lakers have now entered a weird era. After failing to land one of the top two megastar free agents of the summer, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, the Lakers went on to acquire some other players who will have an impact on their course next season. Now, they will need to gamble a bit with their options next season. Let’s examine the top 5 issues the Lakers need to solve before the start of the 2014 – 2015 season.
Lakers Question Marks for New Season
No.1: What happens with Steve Nash
Steve Nash will turn 41 midway through the season. During 2013- 2014 he wasn’t able to help the team and now he will be neither younger nor healthier. It’s likely for the Lakers to try and use Nash as much as he is capable of playing. However, Jeremy Lin will most probably be the one who’ll take over as the starting point guard. Nash, however, will eat a little less than $10 million of the Lakers’ salary cap and it may be a wise option to waive the aged veteran.
No.2: Build some chemistry
Kobe Bryant missed the biggest part of the 2013 – 2014 season, Pau Gasol will no longer be on his side and there will be several new faces in LA next season. Even if the Lakers manage to get things going after a few months, they will definitely need some time to build some chemistry. And this should be one of the areas of focus during the summer.
No.3: Build some momentum
Let’s face it. It’s anything but easy for a team to bounce back after two disappointing seasons, even if that team is named Los Angeles Lakers. There seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel and although the Lakers won’t be contending for the championship in 2014 – 2015 they will have a chance to bounce back. But they’ll need some momentum, so now it’s time to start building one.
No.4: How much can Lin and Boozer offer?
Kobe Bryant will hopefully be back and fully healthy or at least close to his 100 percent. But Kobe needs another star to work with and either Jeremy Lin or Carlos Boozer will have to be the ones to respond to the urgency call. It’s still unknown how much either of the two former stars can provide to the team next season. The certain fact is that at least one of them will have to try and resurrect his career. The newly hired Byron Scott will have to try his best to help Boozer and Lin find their touches.
No.5: Fill all the holes in the roster
The Lakers don’t have a dreamy starting lineup at the moment but they do have a serviceable one. They may choose to start Nick Young alongside Kobe in the perimeter and Jordan Hill may get the call to start at center. Despite all their moves after failing to land Carmelo Anthony, the Laker still need to fill the holes of their roster. They have to try and find some more talent.
For the latest sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Thank you for reading. Ron Leyba is the lead editor of Fantasy Basketball Money Leagues, and a LastWordOnSports NBA Analyst. For more of his articles, follow his updates at Google+ or follow him on Twitter – @ronniedare. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and “liking” our Facebook page.
