Fansided

NBA Season Preview 2017-18: Lakers look to take back L.A.

By Dre Elder

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 02: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers motions to the crowd during the first half of a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on October 2, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 02: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers motions to the crowd during the first half of a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on October 2, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The Lakers may as well have been a tragic circus act over the last few years. They have lost a combined 237 games over the last four seasons. That’s six more games than their combined total over the preceding eight seasons (2005-2013). Consequently, they became the laughing stock of Los Angeles and beyond.

Remember the desperate #StayD12 banners? What about the Marcelo Huertas shot in Miami? Or whatever this was by D’Angelo Russell, who doubled as a covert, dry-snitching spy? Of course, you recall those blunders. We all pointed and laughed mercilessly. Now, there’s a growing sense the 2017-18 Lakers could begin to flip the script.

The 16-time champion franchise is fresh off a fruitful offseason that brought sweeping organizational and roster changes, perhaps none bigger than drafting homegrown point guard Lonzo Ball. Many tout Ball as the best pure point guard prospect to enter the NBA since Jason Kidd debuted in 1994. The UCLA product is a dime-dropping stud with massive commercial appeal and questionable taste in hip-hop. Ball’s hype train continues picking up steam with his brash, polarizing father as the conductor.

From his father’s audacious proclamations to the $495 price tag on his Big Baller Brand signature shoe, Lonzo Ball enters the league with mountainous expectations. Still, he doesn’t lack confidence and is already talking playoffs (channel your inner Jim Mora)? Can Ball elevate them from the basement in a ferocious Western Conference?

The team’s new President of Basketball Operations and mouthpiece, Magic Johnson, is bullish on Ball. Johnson is telling anyone who’ll listen, “The Lakers are back.” Meanwhile, odds makers predict just 33 wins for the Lakers this season. So yes, that assertion is asinine today.

So why such staunch optimism? The three top returning players are age 25 or younger. Brandon Ingram headlines this group. The 20-year-old had a lackluster rookie season, but still has immense upside. Ingram seemingly has the tools to be a leading scorer and defender on this team. Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson were bright spots on a bad team last season. Randle averaged 13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He’s a versatile power forward that will benefit from playing alongside Brook Lopez. Clarkson is their leading returning scorer who gives them scoring punch off the bench.

Newcomer Kyle Kuzma looks ready to contribute right away. The 6-foot-9 rookie out of Utah has shown a polished offensive game. He shoots it well from distance and attacks the rim off the bounce. Magic Johnson should feel good about the young talent on his roster. Johnson also farmed newfound optimism among Lakers’ fans by bringing in quality veterans. He absorbed Lopez’ expiring deal while shedding Timofey Mozgov’s horrendous contract in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets. Lopez is a talented offensive big when healthy. Johnson also signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a one-year deal in free agency. Caldwell-Pope is a capable perimeter defender and 3-point threat. Both will help the Lakers win games this season. Neither will impact their salary cap heading into free agency next year. The previous regime seemed allergic to this kind of wizardry.

Isn’t this season for the Lakers all about luring free agents next summer? They are expected to have $45 million or more in cap space. So, the most consumed headlines surrounding this team will involve players who don’t currently wear purple and gold. The Paul George-to-Los Angeles rumors have already landed them in tampering turmoil. There’s been no shortage of references to LeBron James’ affinity for the city of Los Angeles. We can bury the Russell Westbook talk since he finally signed an extension to remain in Oklahoma City. But there’s always DeMarcus Cousins speculation, right? The All-Star big man hits free agency in 2018. The Lakers recently lost out on the likes of Greg Monroe and Rajon Rondo. However, Magic Johnson vows they will close on marquee names as they once did. But at what lengths?

Will the Lakers renounce rights to promising young talent to score names that may not bring them any closer to contention? They won’t have the cap space to sign two max-level players without letting some young guys walk. There may not be a superstar willing to go there alone because of that conference. Who’s the one superstar that vaults them into contender status? They are not a LeBron signing away from dethroning the Warriors. And who really believes LeBron will sign with the Lakers? Besides Magic Johnson, of course.

Next: 25-under-25 -- The best young players in the NBA

The Lakers’ season is sure to be awash with material. There may be a player’s dad garnering post-game questions from the media like never before. How much will Luol Deng be paid per minute played? We could see other point guards actively trying to destroy Lonzo Ball. Maybe even another failed attempt at tampering in a league where no one gets caught.

This could be the most exciting 50-loss team we’ve ever seen.