The Lakers are beginning the NBA's free agency period with a legendary slump after being rejected for three consecutive seasons in pursuit of serious players like Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge.
Lakers are starting the NBA's free agency period two strikes down; with Kevin Durant, this year's top prize, won't even consider meeting with them.
What's worse is that KD will be meeting with the rival Clippers, the hated Boston Celtics, and maybe even the New York Knicks, yet won't even let Jim Buss in the door.
The Lakers are beginning free agency in the bottom of the ninth. Two years, Buss told that if he didn't get things fixed within "three or four years," he would quit. This summer is his last swing.
The long-term future of its front office could be decided during the next weeks, and so far, it doesn't look so good. A franchise that thought has bottomed out with its two worst seasons might have to begin the post-Kobe Bryant era with one more dignity.
The Lakers could have trouble finding someone who believes they can become the Lakers again. They have about $55 million to spend on top free agents, yet the worst case scenario is that they might end up with Timofey Mozgov.
They have a chance to pic up an inexperienced big man like Hassan Whiteside or aging big man like Al Horford, but what they really need is the kind of player that is either not accessible or available.
Last week during the NBA draft, General Manager Mitch Kupchak was optimistic that this year would be different, that the Lakers could actually survive the summer. But for everything that has gotten better for free agents, something has become worse.
On the bright side, they were able to get Golden State's smart and respected coach, Luke Walton. What's worse is that you'd be playing with an inexperienced young team. Best of luck to Walton though.
Another thing is the absence of Kobe Bryant's overwhelming presence.
Source: Los Angeles Times
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