LOS ANGELES. After finishing with a tepid 26-56 record last season, the rebuilding Los Angeles Lakers have a lot to be hopeful for in this upcoming 2017-18 campaign. And while playoffs remains a tough goal to achieve in a power-packed Western Conference, the Lakers have enough talent to make noise.
At the center the optimism lies Lonzo Ball, the No.2 pick out of UCLA whose motor mouth dad, LaVar Ball, is creating a lot buzz in both mainstream and social media. But the loudest voice emanates from the skills that Lonzo possesses. His ability to make others around him better is universally acknowledged.
Among the young faces that Lonzo is surrounded with is Kyle Kuzma, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound power forward who is currently showcasing his potential in four preseason games in which the Utah alum is averaging 19.5 points and four rebounds.
Another Laker to watch is Brandon Ingram, who embarks on his second season after a quiet rookie campaign in which he normed 9.4 points. Long and lanky, with great athleticism and a fine shooting touch, he could well be one of the cornerstones of another Showtime era.
Further bolstering the purple-and-gold franchise are hold-overs such as Fil-Am Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr. The Lakers have also added veterans Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Andrew Bogut during the offseason, giving the ballclub a unique blend of youth and experience.
Luke Walton returns as head coach but the Lakers' basketball operations department got a major upgrade in the past months when Magic Johnson accepted the offer to be team president while Rob Pelinka assumed the role as general manager.
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