Sir Charles in Charge
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Los Angeles Lakers 2017-18 season primer: Can Lonzo bring showtime back?

By John Kachnowski

GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally altered) Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)
GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally altered) Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 17: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers accepts the NBA Summer League 2017 Most Valuable Player award before the championship game of the 2017 Summer League against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 17, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 17: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers accepts the NBA Summer League 2017 Most Valuable Player award before the championship game of the 2017 Summer League against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 17, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Key Additions

Lonzo Ball (via draft)

Lonzo Ball being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers dominated NBA headlines for months, even before it happened. The Los Angeles native and former UCLA Bruin is easily the Laker’s biggest acquisition form this past offseason. Lonzo Ball is a talent that the Lakers could not pass up on. He is a 6’6” true point guard. He is creative, fluid, and a flat-out athlete.

He is capable of getting his entire team involved on offense and makes all those around him better. Every player on the Lakers’ roster will benefit from having Lonzo as their starting point guard. He averaged 7.6 assists per game last season at UCLA, which was good for the nation’s top passer.

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Brook Lopez (via trade)

Brook Lopez is one of the NBA’s most forgotten big men. Over his nine-year NBA career, Lopez has posted averages of 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Lopez also has one selection to the NBA’s All-Star team under his belt. Lopez’s averages on a majority of the NBA’s teams would make him an above-average starting Center. However, due to his former team’s (Brooklyn Nets) notorious knack for losing games, he is rarely mentioned when talking about the league’s top centers. What is intriguing about Lopez on the Lakers is his newly expanded range.

He shot 34.6 percent from 3-point land last season, the best of his career. This ability will help his team space the floor and open up opportunities for Lonzo Ball to attack and create and also allows Brandon Ingram more room to attack.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (via free agency)

The Los Angeles Lakers made a great and impactful signing with the acquisition of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. KCP came into the league known for his defensive capabilities. Since being drafted in 2013 with the eighth overall pick, he has expanded his game. Caldwell-Pope’s offensive numbers have increased each year he has been in the league aside from a slight one point dip last season. If he can continue to improve on his 35 percent 3-PT clip, he will be an additional floor spacer for the Lakers’ offensive attack.

Another notable factor of KCP’s signing is his contract. The Lakers signed Caldwell-Pope to just a one-year deal. If he plays poorly, the Lakers can let him go. On the other hand, if he plays well all season, they will likely have a better chance to keep him in LA long-term if he builds bonds with his Laker teammates.

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