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Report: Randle, Clarkson Expected to Sit Out Summer League

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The Lakers schedule for the Las Vegas Summer League has been released and there are some good match ups on the docket. Most interesting will be when the Lakers play the 76ers in what will be a match up of the top 2 picks in the draft — expected to be Ben Simmons to Philly and Brandon Ingram to LA.

Should Ingram indeed be the pick, there has been an open question about who of his young Lakers’ teammates would join him. Well, we might just have an answer according to the LA Daily News’ Mark Medina:

First off, while fans surely would want Clarkson and Randle to play, it is actually pretty rare for a 3rd year pro to play in Summer League. Clarkson was already showing he had outgrown that environment last season and when combined with his restricted free agency this summer, him not suiting up shouldn’t be a surprise.

As for Randle, while he missed his entire rookie season, this would also be his 3rd summer league if he suited up. Randle is already going to be training with the US Select Team in July and has also sounded lukewarm about playing in Summer League again, instead preferring to work on his game individually. Considering the strides Randle needs to make are, in many ways, tied to individual skill development — shooting, defensive drills, etc — I am fine with him abstaining from LVSL in favor of working out on his own.

As for the rest of the guys who will suit up, this is totally normal and expected. Even a high pick like Russell could use these games as a way to fine tune the work he’s already putting in and, as a point guard, continue to build chemistry with his teammates. Considering the team is also installing a new offense that he will need to run, these games also offer an opportunity to get some time behind the wheel of these new sets.

With Russell and, presumably, Ingram, Nance, Brown, and whoever is selected at #32, the Lakers should be a very fun team worth watching — even without Randle and Clarkson. I can’t wait to see these guys suit up and get back on the floor.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Andy says

    I can’t believe how excited I am for these meaningless games in summer. all the young promising (hard working) talent paired with a young and open minded coach…. I LOVE IT.

    with the development we’ve seen from d’angelo over the course of the season we can expect some dominating perfomances. can’t wait to see him setting up ingram and nance jr.

    GO LAKERS

  2. matt says

    Things are gonna go pretty quickly now, draft, free agency, summer league, all coming up

  3. John says

    If lakers pick ingram they will be championship contenders in 2017-18 season. A line up of russell to me a left handed chris paul,clarkson who is similar to monta ellis,ingram definitely kevin durant,randle like kobe said lamar Odom in zebo’s body and a veteran center is going to be deadly

  4. Anonymous says

    I don’t know about all that. I think a young chris paul, a young monta ellis and a young lamar odom couldn’t beat steph curry, draymond green and klay thompson AND your setting yourself up for dissapointment if you think ingram is going to be the next KD. He can be a real good player in this league but expecting transcendent is a stretch at best.

    Love the optimism though hopefully this group proves me wrong (or we pick up some stud free agents) and your prediction of contention in 17-18 is correct!

  7. matt says

    Trade rumors swirling because lakers worked out so many prospects, report is they are interested in multiple lottery pick players

  8. matt says

    My thoughts are maybe they are not sure about ingram and would trade him (and lou or swaggy) on draft night for either multiple picks or a pick and a veteran player. I hope they don’t do nothing drastic. D’angelo russell trade rumors are all over the place.

  10. Warren Wee Lim says

    My free agency picks:

    I expect us to sign these guys:

    HIGH (2 out of 3)
    Hassan Whiteside – max
    Ryan Anderson – max
    Nicolas Batum – max
    Joakim Noah – 60/4

    LOW
    Evan Turner – 48/4
    Ian Mahinmi – 44/4
    Jared Dudley – 33/3
    Marvin Williams – 48/4
    Allen Crabbe – 60/4

    OWN
    Jordan Clarkson – 52/4
    Marcelo Huertas – MIN x 2
    Tarik Black – MIN

    We will try, that’s for sure. Hassan Whiteside would be target #1, but its unlikely if Miami offers him the full max. Ryan Anderson is also a guy that would just thrive under Walton. I know he’s sort of 1-dimensional but the Lakers need talent and he is an excellent (repeat, excellent) shooter. There’s Batum who fits better (as 3/4) and who I like to pair w/ Joakim Noah (5) as the french connection.

    But to be more realistic, spending 66M on a field where 28 other teams have cap space isn’t going to be easy. You need to spend for guys that’s going to be part of your team 2-3 years down the line and are not difficult to trade a year or two from now.

    Evan Turner is one guy I’ve had my eyes on ever since he revived his career in Boston. He died in Philly, which is pretty much where everyone died under Hinkie. He struggled in Indy, because that team expected him to be a standstill shooter and defender when his game was about playmaking. When he signed w/ Boston, he found himself. He was free. He was allowed to move and make plays and its the best team/scheme for his talent. For us, it would be magnified. Walton preaches on ball movement and play-making. A contract in the 12M range would be the Mid-Level in 3 years. This ballooning cap space isn’t regressing due to TV money and international league pass.

    If you can’t land Whiteside, look for Ian Mahinmi to make an impact. He is low-maintenance, he doesn’t require the ball and would be a decent defender/rim protector. Again, an 11M contract is like MLE in 3 yrs.

    Jared Dudley is someone that can start in Ingram’s place, as we slowly bring him in. He’s also someone who can help teach the younger guys the ropes. 11M x 3.

    Marvin Williams, another high pick who’s been disappointing in his bid to be a star. What he is though, is a decent perimeter defender, something Walton needs. He can switch on smalls and he can decently defend bigger guys. His defensive range is from 2-4, and in the modern NBA, guarding 1 position means you can’t guard. Not to mention his ability to hit threes, he’s developed nicely into a veteran stretch-4 that has defense. Some might say he’s a better signing at 12M than Ryan Anderson at 25M.

    Lastly, Allen Crabbe is someone who’s up and coming. Though Portland has loads of moolah, they might think twice signing him for 15M per season when they probably can sign back Mo Harkless for 10M. But he’s restricted, not placing all my chips on him, but would be extremely happy if we were able to snag him. His D on 1-3 is very decent as well.

    • Pedro says

      Cool that, good info. Seems legit what
      your saying! Wish you had a hotline to
      old Mitch there, you could well help out. Keep up the good insight please!

  13. Fern says

    Rumors are just that, rumors.All that Russell trade talk bs i file it in the same trash can as the Lebron to LA stupidity. Those are opinions about what the Lakers could theoretically do,nothing more.I doubt the FO is hatching some machiavellian scheme to get more picks. Mitch has say SEVERAL times that you can’t have too many rookies/really young guys in the team. The Lakers don’t have the luxury to try to get cute. They are going to draft Ingram and fill the rest of the team with what will be available in the market. Sometimes a circle is just that, a circle…

  14. Anonymous says

    Matt: lakers always work out tons of guys– you do due diligence and if someone you like drops, maybe you buy a late pick. Don’t overthink it brah . . .

  15. DJ says

    LBJ is 31 years old, if he leave Clev, he has to pick a playoff team like Cllipers to play with CP3, LBJ can’t wait for young players to develope. So the only choice left is Durant but Durant has the same goal like LBJ.

  16. Fern says

    Have to agree with the anonymous dude.BTW Lebron ain’t leaving Cleveland, is there a better situation than being the defending champ on your home town? Can’t we stop this retarded horse manure? Man!!!

  17. matt says

    Ok thanks guys rumors need to be blocked out, watching the luke walton press conference, he wants to make basketball fun, d’angelo russell is there and seems to have a good relationship with luke already

    Good article bluehill, makes me think about how charlotte drafted a center last year that looked like a bonehead move. This year no big is a sure thing. The Chinese guy, the 2 Z European bigs, diamond and damian, a.j. and onuaku. And then the lottery bigs chriss, poeltl, and sabonis. Anyone of those guys could be good and the spaces on the draft board are big separations, call it luck or good scouting.

  18. Shaun says

    i feel like we work out multiple players to feed the lakers media machine … keeps interest in the team up and thw fan base interested … gonna be a really interestonf fa period ….. if durant goes to GS … id say theyd be the favorites to sign pau for the mid-level … they really missed david lee as a player maybe thed get him back instead of pau … i thinl they are going to realize their mistake amd get even better next year by having a post prescence amd pau would be a great fit – was still covering the rim, could shoot 3s, great passer, would he their best post scorer …. lookong for another ring … i just see it happening

  19. Warren Wee Lim says

    matt,

    “The Chinese Guy” – really? His name is 2 letters long. Don’t be too racist.

  21. Ceartas says

    Matt, permit me to advocate for you. Chinese is a nationality, not a race. Identifying a person by his nationality without a hint of a slur is not racist. The “French guy” or the “Serb”, should offend no one. Difficulty in recalling or pronouncing a name no matter how few letters, is not racist, thus we have “the Greek Freak” which actually does include a slur, is tossed around on the air frequently, with no offense intended, and apparently none taken.

    BTW, I can’t recall his name, but he doesn’t LOOK Greek. THAT is racist.

    As a person who is perfectly comfortable in a room full of black folks, I take no offense if someone asks, “Who’s the white guy?”, which is in fact identifying me by my race. I just introduce myself.

    We live in a country that is infected by systemic, institutionalized racism, and when we see it we should call it out. Otherwise, just chill.

  22. Fern says

    About those Lebron to LA rumors i just imagine the end of Mad Max Fury Road great movie btw , Lebron walking thru the crowd in Cleveland leaving and glances back giving a “You’re Welcome” look and walking on to the sunset, there’s another franchise to save. Wait better yet, so if Lebron in Miami was Mad Max, returning to Cleveland was The Road Warrior so him coming to LA is Beyond Thunderdome. Lebron James the Mad Max of the NBA or is the Incredible Hulk? Or Kung Fu? Im so confused!!!!!

  23. david h says

    This young man will work tirelessly to shape this laker team to which laker nation will be proud .

    Welcome back and congratulations. Now get to work coach Luke Walton.

    Go lakers

  25. A Horse Woth No Name says

    The whole of Luke’s intro presser should be listened to. We got our guy.

    Luke may have tipped off the Lakers’ draft plan when remarked we are going to get a very good young guy ( or something to that effect) with that pick. That means no trade for a vet or multiple assiets, just taking who they feel is the best at that pick–the consensus is Ingram.

    Ceartus: Clear thinking is always valued and appreciated.

  26. matt says

    The list of 2nd round prospects profiled by caleb, good job

    Mccaw sg
    Brogdon sg
    Maker pf
    Stone c
    Onuaku c
    Zimmerman pf/c

  27. grumpy says

    Hoping the Lakers go the expected route of drafting Ingram. By all accounts he is a very hard worker, which only bodes well for his future. Plus his fit is too hard to ignore.

    I don’t think the Lakers are going to trade down. Maybe if they were at number 3, but not in a 2 person draft.

    I’m interested to see what draft deals end up happening. Particularly with the despised Leprechauns and the Suns. Last year Ainge tried his hardest to move up and draft Winslow, but no one bit. Will that happen again this year?

  28. pat oslon says

    Ceptics/Ainge are reportedly positioning themselves to make a few moves around Draft time. Who knows what it’ll be (hopefully a bust).
    Clarkson & Randle have experience, it’s no big deal if they don’t play in SL.
    The chips are falling in place. So far this is has been a great off-season for the Lakers and it will only get better.

  29. bleedpurplegold says

    @fern: i take that bet. Dirk isnt going anywhere…he will take less money to stay…

  30. BigCitySid says

    -@ Fern, bleedpurpleandgold, bluehill: Warriors will be “very active” this off season. Wouldn’t be surprised if Dirk, Gasol, or Dwight end up there.

  31. Fern says

    @bleed. He took a discount on his last contract, he was making 8 mill a year when his value was at least twice that. Lou makes 7 mill so think about that. What other discount he is going to give? Minimun wage? He opted out to see what the Mavs can do this summer if they don’t make some kind of coup in free agency he is going to chase that ring. GS makes too much sense for him and probably is going to get paid more than 8 mill a year.

  33. matt says

    Chad ford was on the radio, said kris dunn is a better player/prospect than d’angelo russell, and a bunch of other blah, dunn played 4 years in college (he was hurt 1 year), d’angelo played 1 year in college and 1 in pros. Dunn as a freshman 5 reb 3 ast 6 pts 27 mins. D’angelo as a freshman 6 reb 5 ast 19 pts 34 mins.
    And i get it dunn is more athletic and a better defender.

  34. R says

    Mark Cuban has a bromance with himself; the reflection in the mirror is his one and only true love.

  35. matt says

    Freshman class this year is spread across draft boards.
    Here’s the 2015 high school basketball players rankings
    1. Simmons
    2. Labissier
    3. Ingram
    4. Jaylen brown
    5. Diallo
    6. Diamond stone
    9. Ellenson
    10. Jamal murray
    11. Zimmerman

  36. Anonymous says

    There are a ton of things I hate about Lebron: his ego, his antics, his flopping, his attitude. But let’s be real, all of that would be swept under the rug if he joined the Lakers.

    I think coming here would be a possibility for him. But not because of the usual “movie industry” bs people list as an incentive to coming here. No. If he comes it will be a savvy business move designed to maximize his brand. Here’s why.

    He brought a title to Clevelend and no one faults him for it like they did in Miami. If he goes back to another super team, the same criticisms that dodged him in Miami will return. This bothers him. It bothers him a lot. You can tell because he brings it up a lot. f he were to take this Laker team, a franchise in trouble, with owner infighting and with all the negative press written in the last few years, from the bottom of the standings to the Finals and then get a ring, shoot, the stories praising him as the greatest ever would write themselves. The ego boost of doing something like that, to rescue what is unquestionably The greates NBA franchise in history is well worth it for him.

    Of course, a similar argument could be made for the Clippers and Nicks and Celtics. But just let me dream for a second.

  37. Anonymous says

    Sure I’d say yes to Lebron but here’s the downside — he wants to play with Carmelo and Chris Paul and Dwayne Wade. The Lakers would have to gut the youngsters to acquire these stars (who we’ve paid for with 181 losses). So you;d create a team with a two year window: Lebron, age and lots of miles, Paul, age 31 with lots of miles, Carmelo 32 with lots of miles and Wade who a very old 34.

    Let’s be honest — does that team even make it out of the Western Conference? Plus, Lebron signs 1 year deals — what if he realizes this doesn’t work and he leaves after a season. We’d be capped out for the next 5 years. Wed be holding the bag of poop — aging stars that we can’t unload.

    If Lebron is interested in joining the Lakers the FO better have the balls to say ‘Yes, but we’re not gutting our roster to make you happy.’

  38. Shaun says

    I’m kinda happy that Boston is having a hard time trying to unload their cache of picks … they kind of have no leverage in that they can’t draft 8 guys this draft and the what 5-6 picks they have next year – plus they want to sign FA’s

    They have 9 guys under contract for next season – 5/9 have no real trade value in the league and to get to 9 they would have to decline options on jerebko, johnson, sullinger, zeller, and turner – 5 of their rotation players

    then they have 3 1sts this year, 3 1sts next year, and what 8 2nd round picks in the same time period and a max roster of 15 – without trades they need to focus exclusively on stashes and pass up talent in the draft, sell picks – which I think they will do with their 2nds, or overpay in a trade

    I think Ainge thought he was going to be able to use the picks into a KG/RA trade packages but no team in the league wants to give up their guys

    Only real thing I think they should go after is Harden from Houston who I think is a step away from a rebuild but outside of that there is so much pressure to win for every team that no one is looking at a rebuild

    maybe Atlanta in the east rebuilds around schroeder and trade milsap, maybe memphis trades Gasol to rebuild if conley leaves, maybe brook lopez … that’s it in terms of gettable star players in the league – every other team is either looking to compete or is already in a rebuild so they dont want to trade their developing assets for even younger assets

    you would need to see them trade 3,16, and like brooklyns unprotected pick next year plus crowder for butler/hayward/ cousins/ harden – and even then these teams might now want to do that kind of trade

    really hoping this blows up in the celtics faces and Bill cries

  40. bleedpurplegold says

    @BCS, Fern:
    I would say you guys are right regarding any other player in the league but dirk. Him and TD are maybe the only ones left who wouldnt change colours for any money in the world. Plus, dirk stated numerous times during the last few seasons that he will retire a mav and he wants to be there for 20+years, because he already won that chip. Furthermore, cuban would overpay massively to keep him in dallas, dirk is the only guy he was loyal to since he owned the mavs.
    But, like i said, i am open to taking bets on that 1

    I like your idea of gasol going to the dubs. It makes a lot of sence since they completly lack a guy who can score in the post, plus he can also score from the ouside, so that part of his game fits as well.

    Regarding the dwight sweepstakes, i expect him to sign with dirks mavs. He is from the dallas area…. a lineup of d-will, matthews, parsons, dirk and dwight sounds like a pretty sure bet for a playoff spot and maybe even a deep playoff run depending on their matchups, and dwight would be loved again, which is more important to him than winning

  42. Clay Bertrand says

    I give the Lakers absolutely ZERO % Chance to land Al Horford. Why waste time on him?? He’s not uprooting his family in Atlanta at his age to change coasts. He is of Dominican descent and he played at Florida. If he leaves Atlanta to go ANYWHERE, unless its a contender, he will go to Orlando or Miami. Its his comfort zone and he will GET PAID wherever he goes. He ain’t comin to LA to mentor a rebuild.

    I get that we want to add Veterans. I would rather have Brandon Bass and Marvin Williams types than to BLOW MAX MONEY on an aging and waning Al Horford and I honestly don’t even think he would entertain coming here.

    I hope we don’t get desperate this summer and screw up the future.

    From all of the public comments from Jeanie Buss of late, they are trying to diffuse THE DEADLINE given by Jim and appear to be intelligently stepping away from that narrative and more toward a company line embracing the new chapter with Luke taking over.

    Time for some progressive coaching and some organic growth!

    Summer League looks worse and worse every year IMO. I’m not heartbroken that Randall and Clarkson are not participating.

    Although I DO think if Luke and/or his staff is/are going to begin implementing systemic elements that will be part of what goes on in the regular season, summer league participation (or at least, interaction) with as many of the roster players as possible would be preferred. We are behind other teams and behind in our own new coaching process. We need to catch up!

  43. matt says

    Shaun, good stuff, i noticed the same thing, they have a bunch of no names under contract. 8 picks in this draft. Which is deep with roll players, and outside of pick 35 shallow. If they don’t make a big move tomarrow they blew it.

  44. matt says

    Just for fun, and I’m bored, here’s boston’s team.

    no names under contract 4 , terry rozier pg, james young sg, rj hunter sg, jordan mickey pf

    Restricted free agents 2, tyler zeller c, jered sullinger pf

    Team options 2, Amir Johnson pf, Jonas jerebko pf

    Good contract players 5, Avery Bradley sg, isaiah Thomas pg, Marcus smart pg, kelly olynx c, jae crowder sf

    Thats 13 players

  46. matt says

    Back on boston
    Jordan mickey is a 2nd round pick
    But rozier,hunter, and young are 1st picks

    I think only 1st round picks are guaranteed

  47. Anonymous says

    Matt-gutsy move by Phil. High risk but high reward. Gotta wait for the full package to be disclosed, but I like it for them.

  48. AusPhil says

    Good fun seeing trades happening that involve “name” players. Rose, Robin Lopez, Teague, George Hill all moving. It’s starting off like an active off-season.

  49. A Horse With No Name says

    Without knowing the salary cap implications, it sounds like the knicks deal with Chicago will clear cap space going forward (Rose is a FA next year). The FA class of 2017 could be where the knicks transform themselves if they get a couple of high level FAs.

  50. Vasheed says

    Matt, you are correct. The Celtics don’t have to add those picks to their roster but I would expect them to either trade, sell, or select players they can stash with those picks.

  51. Alex says

    Earlier in the off season, I was assuming that Horford is not going to be a Laker target. I’m less sure now. We need a starting and a backup center, as neither Black, nor Fall/Upshaw/#32 can be better than 3rd string. Next year’s FA crop is spectacular, but not for centers. So, it’s this year’s FA or bust (or trade). Our locker room is in danger of having no vets, even though we can bridge that some with MWP or Jefferson on the coaching/dev staff. But vets like Marvin Williams or Bass that are subs can’t have the same gravitas as a starter with all-star experience. Horford has enough years left as a high quality player, can shoot/defend/play two positions, has been an all star 4 times, and would anchor the locker room. I think that’s enough value to justify max. btw, the paragraph mostly holds for Gasol or Noah, as well.

  52. Shaun says

    1sts count as roster spots and guaranteed money unless tjey ste stashes but there arw only like 3 stashes maybe in the 1st rnd this year

    i think boston lets them all walk leaving them with 9 – amir johnson would be a good vet for us though

    hoping knicks actually make the cavs compete in the conference

  53. A Horse With No Name says

    For Tomorrow: How about a draft contest? I propose the following:

    1) Name the top ten picks

    2) pick the lakers 32nd pick: two guesses

    3) Propose a later second round selection by the lakers, made possible by the lakers hypothetically purchasing a later pick, (Doesn’t matter what number, just pick a guy. Extra points if you nail or approximate the pick number.)

  55. matt says

    Congratulations to the bulls for a dumb trade..
    And the jazz for adding another mediocre point guard

  59. Anonymous says

    Matt: I’m guessing Darius will throw up a new draft day post tonight or tomorrow. I will post my mock contest info there, and post my picks! Hope we get some others to participate !

  61. Anonymous says

    Hawks on record as saying they are going to protect Horford.
    Bulls take on Lopez, meaning Gasol even more likely gone.
    Does Gasol prefer Spurs? Warriors?
    Or does he have a good relationship w Luke, and comes here?
    His passing would be great for a GS-type system.
    We miss Pau! Surely even at his age, he can be as effective as Bogut, although not as strong defensively.

    I think it’s gonna be a run at Whiteside and Durant, just in case.
    I hope the lake show has forgotten about barnes and ezeli.
    I definitely prefer Ingram at the 3 over Barnes.

  62. R says

    Let’s hope this years draft is a good one for the lakers because likely there’s no first rounder next year nor in 2019.

  65. matt says

    Shaun. So your saying boston would let sullinger, zeller, Amir Johnson, and jerebko …walk, that’s like all their bigs

  66. matt says

    Horse
    Here it is 10th pick is the one I’m shaky on
    1. Simmons
    2. Ingram
    3. Dunn
    4.Chriss
    5. J.Murray
    6. Hield
    7. Bender
    8. J.Brown
    9. Sabonis
    10. Poeltl

  69. Lakafan says

    Yes there should be a limit on how many times one person can post. Talk about spam!!

  70. bleedpurplegold says

    D-rose to knicks seems like a solid deal for both sides….for the knicks, they want to win now so a high risk high reward deal like rose makes sense, plus they had to boost their point guard position. I expect them to go hard after al horford anf whiteside now since they need a center after trading lopez

    For the bulls, they get a solid point and a new center they can plan with and get rid of 2 injury prone players….

    I was hoping to maybe get schroeder next offseason, that ship has sailed…..after that 3 team deal, which i also think is a win for everyone involved

  71. Vasheed says

    I like the idea of pairing Rose with Melo and Porzingis in NY. That roster might have a shot of breaking into the playoffs in the east assuming Rose/Melo don’t get injured. With Rose there signing Noah to the Knicks might be an interesting option to replace Lopez.

    For the Bulls it looks more like trying to patch up their locker room. Lopez fills in for Noah who has made it clear he will leave. Calderon replaces Rose I guess? Grant looks like a better fit in Chicago. Overall though the Bulls seemed to have just done a patch job on their roster. Could have done worse I guess.

  72. Anonymous says

    The Rose trade mean that the Bulls are Butler’s team now. Chicago goes from building around an often injured PG to building around an often injured SG.

  73. Shaun says

    Knicks could be the mavs of the east and just sign quality vets around the team and say they get one of Pau, Noah, Dwight – they have a pretty formidable team with shooting at the 3,4 – maybe 2 depending on who they sign there … would keep team from doubling dwight – could be a realyl exciting team plus I like hornacek think hes gonna do well in NY with this team

  74. Dom says

    I personally think the team will be incrementally better but i expect them to retain their pick next year. Its complicated but if they protect the pick in 2017, its unprotected in 2018, since a team can not lose their pick 2 years in a row the magic get 2 number 2’s in 2019 instead of the number one.

    http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed

    In terms of the long term goal of championships not just making the playoffs i expect them to be better but still a 25 win team which should land them in the top 3. The 76ers will be better because they no longer trust the process. The Colangelo’s have to show impactful improvement after 4 years of the process. The Nets will the worse record but Boston has the right to swap picks next year. I dont expect the team to sign a transcendent FA this year despite what every on the tread is hoping. It makes more sense to try to retain next years pick as the class is supposed to be one of the strongest in years. The smart business move is to continue to accumulate talent especially top 3 talent. In 2 years having 2 more first round draft picks will give the Lakers the kind of assets to acquire Boogie Cousins when his contract is coming to an end. It was because the Lakers had assets that they were able to acquire Kobe, then Lamar and then later Pau. Given 2 years of Luke’s culture change and the young core’s embrace of it, the maturation of the core and growth, this is when the team needs to go after marque FA’s not now. For now these kids needs to learn how to be professionals, they need to develop an identity and work ethic. It’s like that old Janis Joplin lyric “my love is like a seed, it takes time to grow” slow the roll, pump the brakes, we are the Lakers, we dont worry about making playoffs, we build champions and that take planning and time.