The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the biggest sports brands in all of sports. When the Lakers are good it benefits the league. That hasn’t been the case for at least the past 4 or 5 years. With the addition of LeBron James things maybe changing for the better in LA.
Or are they?
Once LeBron James decided to come out West, many people immediately put the Los Angeles Lakers in the mix to get to the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors. I have heard people say that the Lakers have a shot at the NBA Finals.
Lets pump the brakes just a bit on that thought. At least in the 2018-19 season.
Magic Johnson, President of Basketball Operations, and GM, Rob Pelinka have put a cast around LeBron that has raised some concern.
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With the inability to trade for Kawhi Leonard, the Lakers brass had to focus on other current free agents.
One of the first free agents that Magic got to sign on with the Lakers was temperamental player, Rajon Rondo.
Rondo can be a complete headache in the locker room. He doesn’t mince words with coaches, players, or fans. It is part of the reason why he is with his sixth NBA franchise.
According to Rajon Rondo, he was told that the point guard position was an open competition.
I thought Lonzo Ball was the future for the Lakers at the point guard position? Maybe not.
How is Rondo going to react if he is told that he is the back up?
Does Rajon Rondo go full “Rondo” on his teammates and coaches?
It will be something to keep your eye on.
On the flip side, how is Ball going to take it if he is told that he is the back up point guard?
How is Lonzo’s father going to deal with it?
This is a whole different side to this combustibility that people are not talking about as much as they should be. Lavar Ball has a extremely high thought of himself and his son’s talent. The last thing that Magic Johnson wants is an unhinged Lavar Ball.
That’s the last thing anybody wants.
It is widely thought that the Ball camp put out that Lonzo has an injured knee, so that would squash any trade scenarios that Magic or Rob Pelinka had in the bag.
You have a young point guard who is learning the NBA game and now has to be concerned about a seasoned veteran joining the team.
Does this stunt Lonzo’s growth as a player?
Tune in.
The next thing that made my eyebrows raise with the Lakers offseason acquisitions was adding Lance Stephenson. The guy that would blow in LeBron’s ear during the playoffs while Lance was an Indiana Pacer.
Much like Rondo, Lance Stephenson is a very high maintenance player. His constant agitation of opponents has got him into many skirmishes around the league. It has cost him from staying in any one place for a long time. He’s been run out of Indiana twice. Stephenson’s act in Charlotte didn’t play well for Michael Jordan either.
You have to be of the state of mind that LeBron also had his input into who Magic Johnson was going to go after. With the history between James and Stephenson you would think that this signing was just asking for drama.
Maybe it is.
Javale McGee is no treat either. McGee behaved himself in Golden State because the culture of the Golden State would not allow for it. Plus, he was in the last year of his contract as well. When a player is looking at his next contract he does what is needed to make sure he keeps getting paid to play a game.
McGee has a reputation for being a discontent when things go bad. He’s not the only player that acts like this, but it’s not the best combination for this Los Angeles Lakers team.
The one person that could be in for some trouble in my opinion is head coach, Luke Walton. If the Lakers get off to a bad start or there is dessension on the team Walton’s job will be called into question. Just another piece to watch as the season moves forward.
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This Los Angeles Lakers team could be a drama filled team this next season. Adding three potential headaches in Rondo, Stephenson, and McGee could be the match that lights up this current Lakers team.