The LA Lakers have made a number of moves this summer for Kobe Bryant and head coach Byron Scott and names like Michael Beasley, Jordan Crawford, Chris Singleton and Chris Douglas-Roberts are potential free agent options, while Eric Bledsoe would be a dream but he is likely signing back with the Phoenix Suns once the restricted free agent agrees on a deal with the team.
According to ESPN.com, the Lakers worked out Michael Beasley last week and could look at signing him, while Eric Bledsoe was considered a target early on, but he is likely returning to the Suns. The Lakers reportedly thought about making a sign and trade with Bledsoe, but that would have kept the team from signing Carlos Boozer and other players. The team also upgraded at point guard by bringing in Jeremy Lin, as Steve Nash was injured last season and he likely will just be a reserve for the team this year.
The Lakers kept a number of their own free agents, including Nick Young, who the team signed to a four year deal. Young had a career season in 2013-14 and led the team in scoring and now he is on a four-year, $21.5 million contract, while the team also kept Ryan Kelly after drafting him last year. Kelly and Young give the team some solid options, while Wes Johnson and Xavier Henry are also back this season after signing. The Lakers also added Lin, Ed Davis and Boozer and that gives the team depth at a number of positions and versatility in the starting lineup for Scott.
Last season the Lakers won just 27 games and the team had to deal with Kobe Bryant being injured all season and now Scott is hoping that he can come back healthy and ready to go this year. Bryant could be the key to everything and while he obviously is not the player he once was, if he can come back and lead the team like he usually does, there is a chance they could make the playoffs after missing out last season.
Scott will not allow the team to get dejected like they were under Mike D'Antoni last season and at times it looked like the Lakers had given up and Scott will not allow that to happen. Scott spoke at his press conference about getting back to classic Lakers basketball and while the team may not be a championship contender, they can battle for one of the bottom playoff positions in the conference.
The team was solid scoring the ball last season, ranking just out of the top 10 in the league, but the defense was horrible and they need that to step up this year. Last season the team ranked 29th in points allowed per game and Scott will be looking to give the team a defensive identity. Having Carlos Boozer gives the team some size after losing Pau Gasol and while Boozer is not the player that Gasol is, he should be able to make up for his production up front. The Lakers may not win their division this season, but they will make things much tougher for opposing teams now than they did last year.
