Los Angeles Lakers 2015 NBA Season Preview

Key Offseason Losses

The Lakers lost quite a few players this offseason, but considering how poorly they played last season, it’s hard to really look at that as a bad thing. This was a team that needed a number of upgrades throughout their roster so seeing players out the door allowed them to at least try to do that in a number of areas.

If there’s one player now gone that stands out, though, it’s guard Wesley Johnson who stayed in L.A., but with the Clippers. Johnson wasn’t a superstar by any means, but he was a quality role player for this team at times over his tenure with the Lakers. Losing his flexibility on the wing to also play the three looms large given the lack of depth for team at the position.

Key Offseason Additions

The Lakers were relatively crafty and active trying to fill and improve their roster this offseason, bringing in Brandon Bass and Metta World Peace as instances of veteran depth. However, there are two moves that were much more substantial for this Lakers team.

We already covered it when looking at the Lakers’ best move of the offseason, but adding Hibbert was monstrous for Los Angeles, especially at the price they got him for in the trade with the Indiana Pacers. Adding Hibbert gives them a legitimate starting center and should at least marginally improve their defense.

In terms of free agency, the Lakers were able to land reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams for a steal of a three-year deal. He’s going to be huge no matter what role he’s in—coming off the bench or starting in some capacity—as someone who can put points on the board. How he fits in with some guys on the floor will remain to be seen, but there are major potential gains from signing Williams.

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