The Los Angeles Lakers are still very much a franchise in transition, but there is legitimate optimism in the air after drafting D'Angelo Russell with the second overall pick and getting last year's first-round pick, Julius Randle, back healthy.
There's also the maybe-but-not-definite last season for Kobe Bryant, who is entering the final year of his contract. Because of youth and big roster holes, the 2015-16 Lakers aren't likely to make a playoff push in the loaded Western Conference.
Yet it's hard to deny the Lakers will be more interesting this season than they were during last year's disastrous 21-61 effort.
Russell, who didn't look strong during the NBA Summer League by shooting 37.7 percent with 26 turnovers in five games, will be the key player to watch for Los Angeles this season.
Lakers head coach Byron Scott told Fox Sports after summer league that Russell's struggles could end up being a good thing for his development:
Sometimes when you come out here and you're the No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 pick, you expect to come out here and tear the league up. When guys kin ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Adam Wells
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