Current Roster
PG: Lonzo Ball
SG: Josh Hart/Jordan Clarkson
SF: Brandon Ingram/Luol Deng/Corey Brewer
PF: Julius Randle/Larry Nance Jr./Kyle Kuzma
C: Brook Lopez/Ivica Zubac/Tarik Black/Thomas Bryant
2017 Free Agents
Restricted
G Nick Young
G Tyler Ennis
F Thomas Robinson
F Metta World Peace
Unrestricted
G David Nbawa
Who They Drafted
1-2 Lonzo Ball, PG UCLA
1-27 Kyle Kuzma, PF Utah
1-30 Josh Hart, SG Villanova
2-42 Thomas Bryant
The Lakers had a big draft, taking three first round picks and one second rounder. Their first pick was the lock of all locks even though they tried to pretend otherwise, taking Lonzo Ball to be their point guard of the future. After trading D'Angelo Russell, the Lakers are handing the keys completely to Ball, he'll be the guy with the ball in his hands leading the offense, at least until Paul George and LeBron get there... Ball's tremendous passing ability and unselfish nature will do wonders for the rest of the Lakers players, both young and old and set a course for how the Lakers will play. They'll try to fast break as much as possible, giving Ball every opportunity to utilize all of his lethal transition abilities. Ball is equally effective off the ball in transition, which will work well with Brandon Ingram and Julius Randle, who can rip and run. When in half court, Ball isn't a dynamic pick-and-roll player or penetrater so the Lakers will want to utilize a lot of ball and player movement in order to create good looks. Their presumed starting lineup of Ball, Hart, Ingram, Randle, and Brook Lopez are all ball movers and can do things off the ball, so it will be up to Luke Walton to develop an offense that lets them move and pass. Defensively, Ball isn't there yet and may long term be better off guarding bigger players than point guards, simply because he is bigger and stronger as opposed to quick laterally.
Kyle Kuzma, their second first rounder, fits into their new offensive direction as well. With the size and reach of a power forward, Kuzma is able to handle the ball in transition and is a good passer for his position, though not a dynamic creator or preternatural passer. For Kuzma to really work in the NBA, his jumper will need to continue to improve. He looks like he could be a good shooter, based on form, but the results haven't really been there yet, shooting 30% on 169 career college three-pointers. If the jumper works, his role on offense is there, if it doesn't work then he will be a limited offensive player who provides little of defense due to a lack of physicality, athleticism and production. The upside is decent considering his passing and ball-handling would really work well if he can shoot, but the downside is probably not an NBA player.
The last of the Lakers three draft picks, Josh Hart, was one of the most accomplished players in the nation, winning a National Title and landing on the first team All-America. Again, like Kuzma, Hart works with the offense the Lakers are looking to create because he is able to handle the ball and pass, as well as shoot the ball with some consistency, though perhaps he is not as high level of a shooter as has been portrayed. Still, he should be at least average if not better from range. Where Hart stands out over Kuzma is his defense. Again, while perhaps not the lockdown guy his rep may suggest, no one tries harder defensively than Hart, and what he lacks in physical tools (which are good, not spectacular) he makes up with effort and toughness, traits that will allow him to defend bigger players on switches, which again fits really nicely next to Lonzo Ball.
In the second round, the Lakers drafted more of a project in big man Thomas Bryant. Bryant has a truly elite centers frame, standing a shade under 6-11 at 248, with a massive 7-6 wingspan and 9-4+ standing reach, both numbers that are in the upper echelon for their position. Offensively, despite his size, Bryant's most translatable skill is his jumper, which isn't all the way there yet but should develop into a weapon. He lacks any go-to offensive moves and has struggled at times to finish due to his lack of vertical explosiveness. His size suggests a post player, though that hasn't materialized quite yet with any level of natural fluidity. Bryant has done well on the offensive glass not just because of his size but because he really gives effort. On the defensive glass, he has not been nearly as effective and his overall rebounding % is poor. Likewise, Bryant's size is a deterrent at the rim, even if he can't jump, but his lateral quickness is so bad that any kind of pick-and-roll is ruinous. All together, Bryant has some things to like but needs to improve in several areas to really work as an NBA player. Fortunately, the Lakers have no need for him in the short term so he'll be able to work in the G-League and get minutes there.
What They Need Going Forward
Everything the Lakers do is with the summer of 2018 in mind, as the try to bring both LeBron James and Paul George together, therefore they will likely avoid any long term contracts and likely try to move what veterans they have, such as Luol Deng. Even younger players that might be overpaid (Jordan Clarkson) or are about to come off their rookie deals (Julius Randle) could be moved as they clear room for stars. In the short term, the Lakers will likely try to bring back Tyler Ennis to back up Ball but will likely leave the rest of their roster to minimum, short term signs.
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