Reviewing the Lakers Offseason: Are They Championship Contenders?
Going into the offseason, the Lakers had major expectations to get their team right. For various reasons, it could be Lebron James last year in the league and his last real chance to capture one more ring before he hangs it up. Also, Luka Doncic is now the captain of this franchise. Two requirements needed to be fulfilled. You needed to start preparing for the future and the now if you want him to be happy as a Laker. The best way to do that was to pair him up with a young rising star who can help him win now and in the future. Deandre Ayton then comes into the fold. By far the most significant acquisition the Lakers have made so far in NBA free agency. The biggest question now that the dust has settled is whether the Lakers are now title contenders.
The answer is not yet. While they made some strides in signing Ayton, the other pieces needed are still missing. For example, signing Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia are both good defensive pickups; however, it still lacks the offensive help Luka and LeBron need to make a run when they both need rest. The Lakers improved defensively more than anything else, and as much as defense wins championships, you also have to put up enough points to win the game. Besides Lebron, Luka, and Ayton, where will the scoring come from? Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura are good options, but you need more. The Lakers' bench is still lacking shooting and a streaky player with a score-first mindset. One big free agent still unsigned that can help in that department is Malik Beasley, who had an excellent year with the Detroit Pistons. He is a game-changing shooter who, when hot, can shoot lights out from three-point range.
Acquiring Beasley, along with giving Dalton Knecht more minutes and bringing up a Cole Swider who did great in the NBA Summer League this year. All of a sudden, the Lakers look more like a complete championship team if they are healthy. The Lakers are on the brink of being a championship team; they are just missing a piece or two to really fill that bench and make it look more reliable. Overall, if we were to rank it by letter grades, the Lakers would receive a B for their overall grade this offseason. They just need to address some key holes on their roster, and they are set. Releasing Maxi Kleber and substituting him for Beasley, while switching out Nick Smith Jr from time to time, who's on a two-way contract with Swider. He will really showcase his talent on the Lakers' roster while bringing the forward size they need, and it would cost them little. They wouldn't have to spend much to do that. While the Lakers still have time to make moves and make things right. It won't stay that way for long. They'd better play their cards right if they want to make potentially Lebron's final year a memorable one.
