With a ton of new faces hitting the court in LA, the Lakers aren’t just trying to stay healthy this preseason. Forget Phil Jackson’s old-school “injury-free is the only goal” mantra, this squad absolutely needs to go into their five exhibition games with some rock-solid objectives, especially with so many new guys to integrate. We’re talking about setting themselves up for a killer regular season, not just coasting through exhibition play.
Finding Their Vibe: What’s the Game Plan?
Look, it’d be wild to expect this team to look buttery smooth right out of the gate with all these changes. But it’s totally fair to expect the five-game preseason slate to expose some basic truths about how this year’s squad is gonna roll. What’s the primary defensive strategy going to be? What could the rotations actually look like when the games start to matter? Are they gonna push the pace hard, or slow it down and control the tempo? Is that expected uptick in 3-point attempts actually going to materialize on the court? Do all the new pieces fit together like they should?
Preseason lineups are always a bit random, a whole lot of experimenting. But if these guys keep building on the chemistry they reportedly forged in the golf clubs and nightclubs of Ljubljana, and the coaches really take advantage of that full week of practice between Media Day and Game 1 , a much better setup than last year’s measly four days , then fans should absolutely expect to see at least a glimpse of a coherent plan relatively soon. We need to see the vision.
Unleash the Young Guns: Eleven Players Ready to Break Out
This is where things get really exciting. The Lakers have eight rostered players and three more on two-way deals who are 25 or younger. That’s a whopping 11 out of 19 players who are still “NBA young!” We’re talking about dynamic 21-year-old Cameron Carr and 22-year-old Adou Thiero, who honestly feels more like a redshirt rookie ready to explode than just another vet. Some fans are already predicting potential breakouts from those two.
Then there’s Ziaire Williams, with his tantalizing physical traits, who’s already getting praise from Austin Reaves for his defensive effort in camp. And how about Walker Kessler, the 25-year-old center? Everyone’s eager to see him let it fly with his developing 3-point shot. Two-way guys Chris Mañon, 24, and Arthur Kaluma, also 24, definitely deserve some quality preseason minutes. On the flip side, if Jake LaRavia can’t quickly find his three-point stroke, his brief Lakers tenure might just end before it really gets started. And let’s not forget Bronny, because there’s a real buzz that this could be his best chance to actually become a rotation player. Coach JJ and his crew definitely have their work cut out for them, balancing all these seemingly contradictory goals. But in an ideal world, we’ll see a clear vision emerge, and how these tantalizing youngsters truly fit into it.
The Veterans: Less Time, More Impact?
Of course, we still have our core veterans in their mid-to-late twenties, led by MVP candidate Luka Doncic, who’s 27, and our newly re-signed all-star hopeful, 28-year-old Austin Reaves. Their minutes and shifts will probably be limited in the preseason, which is smart. But even in those brief runs, the first few games could offer crucial insights into their form and how they mesh with the new faces.
So, as those first few games kick off, forget about the scoreboard for a minute. We need to see that plan emerge, how those young guys are truly being used, and if our core vets are still clicking even in limited runs. It’s not just preseason; it’s the proving ground for this whole new era in LA.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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