What Lakers Fans Can Expect Next Season: Part 1 (Pre-Free Agency)
What to Look Forward to with Ham at the Helm
The Lakers have begun another new era in franchise history: the Darvin Ham era. Based on his first press conference (which I wrote about recently), it seems the Laker Faithful have a lot to look forward to.
Ham set the tone for what the Lakers will look like next season, and his main message and goals centered around the Lakers being three things:
Competitive, together, and accountable.
Ham’s remarks weren’t the only thing getting Laker fans ready to run through a brick wall. A chance at redemption for this storied franchise is coming — if not already here — featuring a fired up star trio, a head coach with a homecoming, a front office with high expectations, and the fan-favorite Phil Handy. Here’s what Lakers fans can look forward to with the current state of the team.
1. The Big Three Buying in
Based on their reactions from social media and subsequent interviews with the press, it’s clear that LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis have welcomed Ham with open arms. The same goes for Ham, who has spoken highly of each Lakers star.
This is a fantastic sign for everyone, as Bron, AD, and Russ are aware of what’s at stake and the expectations that have been set on them. It is equally helpful that there will be an element of toughness and accountability, something that was not present with the purple and gold last year. With this renewed mindset and the coaches who understand what it takes, the Lakers will be working hard through the offseason to get back to where they belong: winning time (pun intended).
2. Development of the Young Guys
Ham also acknowledged Austin Reaves and Stanley Johnson, two of four youthful players whose development will be critical for the upcoming season (not mentioned by him were rising fourth-years Talen Horton-Tucker and Wenyen Gabriel). He and Pelinka also noted the Lakers’ plans to explore the draft, G League, and overseas as part of their roster construction.
For a team that was mostly comprised of veterans last season, this is a welcome and much-needed change. No team can win with veterans alone, just as they can’t win with a roster reeking of inexperience. There must be some balance, and Ham, Pelinka, and co. recognize that.
With rumors swirling that the team is looking to buy into the second round, fans have been tuned into their draft-related posts on social media. So far, the Lakers’ list of prospect workouts has included names such as Johnny Juzang (SF, UCLA), Keon Ellis (SG, Alabama), Trevion Williams (C, Purdue) and Will Richardson (SG, Oregon). Whoever the LakeShow select (if they are able to trade for a pick), that prospect will thrive into someone who can help the team en route to the pursuit of their 18th title.
It will be thrilling to see which current young Lakers take the leap, as well as who joins them to develop into quality role players.
3. Anthony Davis’s Resurgence
Lastly, Anthony Davis has a lot of weight on his shoulders, but that’s normal for someone who is the first option on offense and has already experienced co-leading a team to a title. Now, as he gears up to help lead the Lakers again, fans are getting eager over a certain (rumored) assistant coach.
Rasheed Wallace has been mentioned as a candidate for Darvin Ham’s staff. If he does wind up with the team, the rest of the league should watch out. Wallace was a fantastic forward-center in his 16-year career and, similar to Davis, was able to post players up and be effective from three. An added element to Wallace that fans should be electrified about is his toughness, as he was often known for not backing down from anyone, including the refs.
Wallace can help AD immensely, developing him into an absolute beast on both ends of the floor. Nam Tran wrote a great article on the topic, and I agree with his view that Sheed can do wonders for AD if he winds up becoming an assistant for LA.
Rasheed to LA may be up in the air right now, but with a hungry and motivated Davis leading the charge, the rest of the league should stop sleeping and, as the Lakers tweeted before the 2019–20 season, “Consider this a warning.”
Of course, nothing can be certain until the rest of the roster is constructed. As it stands right now, however, Lakers fans have a lot to be excited about, as the big three get ready to go “Ham” on this season.
