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NBA • 10 months ago

5 Signs the Los Angeles Lakers Are Nearing Contender Status in 2015

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5 Signs the Los Angeles Lakers Are Nearing Contender Status in 2015

The Lakers have struggled immensely the past two seasons and appear to be in rebuild mode. But it was only five years ago that they were on top of NBA world. The Lakers earned their 16th championship in franchise history and Kobe Bryant contributed to five of them. Here are five signs they might be close to their 17th championship than most fans think.

5. Draft Picks

5. Draft Picks

One of the ways teams build their franchises is through the NBA Draft. And the Lakers have two first-round picks. Assuming they don't whiff on the chance to draft quality players, the Lakers can use those picks to select superb players such as Jahlil Okafor, Emmanuel Mudiay or even Karl-Anthony Town. Multiple picks also give the Lakers flexibility to trade up or trade down for any desired player they want.

4. Byron Scott

4. Byron Scott

Cleveland Cavaliers v Denver Nuggets — Who better to lead the Lakers back to contention than a former Laker himself? People forget he's a three-time NBA champion who played on the same team as Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; not to mention taking the Nets to two straight finals appearances. Scott knows how to win and is a true Laker. Give him some better tools to work with and his winning vision will show next season.

Who better to lead the Lakers back to contention than a former Laker himself? People forget he's a three-time NBA champion who played on the same team as Magic Johnson, James Worthy and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; not to mention taking the Nets to two straight finals appearances. Scott knows how to win and is a true Laker. Give him some better tools to work with and his winning vision will show next season.

3. Resricted Free Agents

3. Restricted Free Agents

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported Jimmy Butler plans to pursue shorter contracts this summer than sign the five-year max the Bulls are expected to offer. Butler has been spending time in Los Angeles, and league sources say Butler's intrigue in signing with the Lakers has increased. Signing a two-way player of his caliber could certainly be a piece to build on and bring a historic franchise near contention again.

2. Free Agency is Stock Full of Stars

2. Free Agency is Stock Full of Stars

July 1 is just around the corner, and that is when free agency will begin. Despite a tragic season by the Lakers, they have yet another opportunity to sign talented players. Kevin Love has been one of the biggest potential free agents linked to LA. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, "Of all of the high-profile free agents this summer, executives still believe Love and LaMarcus Aldridge are the likeliest to be willing to change teams."

July 1 is just around the corner, and that is when free agency will begin. Despite a tragic season by the Lakers, they have yet another opportunity to sign talented players. Kevin Love has been one of the biggest potential free agents linked to LA. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, "Of all of the high-profile free agents this summer, executives still believe Love and LaMarcus Aldridge are the likeliest to be willing to change teams."

1. Black Mamba is in the Building

1. Black Mamba is in the Building

Minnesota Timberwolves v Los Angeles Lakers — As long as the Lakers have a five-time NBA champion and future Hall of Famer on the roster, they will never be far from contention. Granted he's not the same old Kobe he is still producing even at the age of 36, but he still averaged 22.3 points per game last year. And that's without much help. Imagine the impact he'll make when the roster finally gets bolstered this summer.

As long as the Lakers have a five-time NBA champion and future Hall of Famer on the roster, they will never be far from contention. Granted he's not the same old Kobe he is still producing even at the age of 36, but he still averaged 22.3 points per game last year. And that's without much help. Imagine the impact he'll make when the roster finally gets bolstered this summer.

Josiah Williams is the Los Angeles Lakers Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com. “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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