Los Angeles Lakers have had a successful offseason? Perhaps

After a slow start, it’s not outrageous to suggest that the Los Angeles Lakers have had a pretty successful offseason.

The Los Angeles Lakers had a slow start to the offseason and from an outside perspective, the prospects of having a bounce-back season in 2022-23 seemed unlikely. However, the last couple of moves that the Lakers have made during the offseason have certainly changed the tune of their summer and, most importantly, their prospects heading into the new season.

Now, the Lakers’ chances of making a return to the playoffs and possibly contender status are trending in the right direction.

The Los Angeles Lakers have made two underrated moves to close their offseason

Over the past few weeks, the Lakers have made two underrated moves that may have turned the tide on their offseason. First, they acquired Patrick Beverley from the Minnesota Timberwolves. They followed up that move by signing Dennis Schroder in free agency.

All in all, those two moves may not seem like game-changers for the Lakers but could end up paying big dividends for the team this season. Beverley will prove some defensive toughness that the Lakers lacked last season and Schroder will give the team a much-need offensive punch.

Together, the additions of Beverley and Schroder will also protect if the Lakers end up trading Russell Westbrook. It’s something that many expect to happen at some point this season and will give Los Angeles the liberty of not having to get a point guard in return for any deal for Westbrook.

Those two moves alone have given the Lakers much more flexibility than they had just a couple of weeks ago. They have also changed the tun, drastically, on the Lakers’ offseason.

To make this truly a successful summer for Los Angeles, it simply must end with a trade of Westbrook. And if they could add a rotation player or two, the Lakers will head into the new season with an intriguing roster and, most importantly, a shot at returning to contention.

Ultimately, after the season they just had, that’s all the Lakers could’ve asked for heading into this offseason. A shot. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the roster, that’s all the Lakers need. A shot. And the last couple of offseason moves that the Lakers have made will give them one this season.