The LA Lakers are coming into training camp with some optimism after making additions like D'Angelo Russell, Lou Williams, Roy Hibbert and Brandon Bass this offseason for Kobe Bryant. The franchise star comes into camp healthy and he will be looking to lead a young team that includes players like Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson.
The main question coming into camp is Bryant's future and that includes his health as training camp starts. According to the Los Angeles Times, Bryant is coming in with no restrictions on his shoulder and he has been cleared for basketball activities. Byron Scott said that no minutes restriction has been discussed yet, but it's likely the Lakers will try and be cautious with Bryant this season.
The Lakers went just 21-61 last season and ended up with the second pick in the draft. The team took Russell and now he will have the chance to start for Los Angeles alongside Bryant if he plays well enough in camp and the preseason. Russell and Jordan Clarkson are the up and coming guards for the Lakers and the team has also brought in Marcelo Huertas as a potential option to make the roster. Russell struggled at times in the summer league and he is likely going to need time to develop.
Julius Randle is coming back from a broken leg that forced him to miss basically the entire season and his camp will be important for the Lakers to see how he has progressed. Randle has a ton of potential, but the Lakers may not want to push him coming back from an injury like that. Randle could get minutes behind Brandon Bass to start the season and that could be a good way to get his strength and rhythm going. Roy Hibbert is a new front court presence and he could bounce back after a tough season with Indiana.
Hibbert was once considered one of the better centers in the league, but he fell off hard in Indiana the past couple years and now has the chance to get things going in LA. Hibbert is going to play the bulk of the minutes over Robert Sacre and Tarik Black (and Robert Upshaw if he even makes the roster). The Lakers has brought in Metta World Peace to serve as a mentor for players like Randle and Clarkson and the team has room for one player in camp.
The Lakers signed Jonathan Holmes and Michael Frazier to camp deals and they could end up in the D-League if they don't make the roster. Huertas could get a chance to make it, as the team would like some experience at the point guard position and he has been one of the best in the Euroleague. The Lakers are without players like Jeremy Lin, Wesley Johnson and Carlos Boozer from the roster last season, but there is a bit more talent now than before with the additions of Williams and Russell.
Prediction: Lakers compete for a bottom playoff spot in the west, but come up short again. Team improves over the 21 wins from last season.
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