Los Angeles Lakers: Could Kemba Walker be the offseason answer?
Could Kemba Walker be the answer for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason?
After a disappointing ending to their season in the playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers will be heading into the offseason with a goal of climbing back up the Western Conference hierarchy.
One of the biggest duties will revolve around adding to the roster. Or perhaps re-signing the right pieces. One interesting idea that has been tossed around is the Lakers perhaps targeting Kemba Walker, who was recently traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder a few weeks ago.
Zach Lowe tossed around the idea and it’s not actually shocking. Especially considering a team like the Thunder. OKC likely isn’t going to try to win many games next season and Walker could be somewhat stuck this season, much like Al Horford was.
It would be in the best interest of both Kemba and the Thunder to probably part ways at some point before the start of next season and there might need a better fit than the Lakers – or at least hypothetically.
On today’s Lowe Post Podcast: “I think both the LA teams are going to be sniffing around Kemba Walker.”
— Jacob Kniffen (@JacobKniffen) July 1, 2021
- @ZachLowe_NBA
The big question is whether or not Kemba would be a great fit for the Lakers. Secondly, would he be an upgrade over Dennis Schroder, who the Lakers ultimately have to decide to re-sign or not heading into the offseason.
Schroder is coming off a season in which he averaged 15 points and six assists on 44 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent shooting from 3-point range. Kemba, on the other hand, is coming off a season in which he averaged 19 points, five assists, and four rebounds per game on 42 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent shooting from 3-point range.
On paper, the decisions seem easy. What makes it complicated is the age factors and health. Schroder is 27 years old while Kemba is 31. Kemba is also coming off back-to-back seasons in which he battled nagging injuries.
And that’s the gamble that it might actually come down to for a team such as the Lakers. Especially considering that their season ended abruptly at least in part due to injury, that could be a tough sell to management.
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Though, the Lakers could have options heading into the offseason. The question is whether or not the Lakers will be able to push the right buttons that will elevate the team back to contention in the Western Conference.