Predicting the Los Angeles Lakers' 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

Predicting the Los Angeles Lakers' 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

By Brendan Patel

July 16, 2015

Predicting the Los Angeles Lakers' 2015 Starting Five Following Free Agency

Los Angeles Lakers — The Los Angeles Lakers combine a lot of experience with youth, and should be an intriguing team to watch this season. They may not be a playoff team just yet, but with the amount of potential on their roster, they are a team on the rise. They have plenty of volume shooters, but it may be better to bring a couple of them off the bench, and give their prospects the opportunity to start.

The Los Angeles Lakers combine a lot of experience with youth, and should be an intriguing team to watch this season. They may not be a playoff team just yet, but with the amount of potential on their roster, they are a team on the rise. They have plenty of volume shooters, but it may be better to bring a couple of them off the bench, and give their prospects the opportunity to start.

D'Angelo Russell - Point Guard

D'Angelo Russell - Point Guard

D'Angelo Russell - Point Guard

D'Angelo Russell - Point Guard — The second pick is going to see plenty of action this season, and should be a Rookie of the Year candidate. The Lakers have several players who can get out and run, where Russell will get to show his outstanding court vision in the open floor. But with Hibbert and Bryant, he will also have to prove that he can lead the offense in half court sets.

The second pick is going to see plenty of action this season, and should be a Rookie of the Year candidate. The Lakers have several players who can get out and run, where Russell will get to show his outstanding court vision in the open floor. But with Hibbert and Bryant, he will also have to prove that he can lead the offense in half court sets.

Jordan Clarkson - Shooting Guard

Jordan Clarkson - Shooting Guard

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Jordan Clarkson - Shooting Guard

Jordan Clarkson - Shooting Guard — Clarkson has had an impressive summer, and there’s a good chance that he will start next to Russell. He plays better with the ball in his hands, but will have to learn how to play off ball when on the floor with Russell and Bryant. He has improved his shot, and gives the team some athleticism on the perimeter.

Clarkson has had an impressive summer, and there’s a good chance that he will start next to Russell. He plays better with the ball in his hands, but will have to learn how to play off ball when on the floor with Russell and Bryant. He has improved his shot, and gives the team some athleticism on the perimeter.

Kobe Bryant - Small Forward

Kobe Bryant - Small Forward

Kobe Bryant - Small Forward

Kobe Bryant - Small Forward — There has been a lot of talk about moving Bryant to small forward, where he won’t have to chase around guards as much. His minutes will likely be heavily monitored, and the team may choose to have him sit out more games (especially against high-scoring small forwards). He can still put up points, but it will be better for his health to let Russell and Clarkson handle most of the ball handling.

There has been a lot of talk about moving Bryant to small forward, where he won’t have to chase around guards as much. His minutes will likely be heavily monitored, and the team may choose to have him sit out more games (especially against high-scoring small forwards). He can still put up points, but it will be better for his health to let Russell and Clarkson handle most of the ball handling.

Julius Randle - Power Forward

Julius Randle - Power Forward

Julius Randle - Power Forward

Julius Randle - Power Forward — Randle looked a little rusty at times this summer, but he showed that he has the tools to be a very good power forward in the league. He is very strong and can get out on the break, but needs to make sure that he finishes his chances. He has a lot of potential and the organization is excited about his future.

Randle looked a little rusty at times this summer, but he showed that he has the tools to be a very good power forward in the league. He is very strong and can get out on the break, but needs to make sure that he finishes his chances. He has a lot of potential and the organization is excited about his future.

Roy Hibbert - Center

Roy Hibbert - Center

Roy Hibbert - Center

Roy Hibbert - Center — The Lakers struck out on the top free-agents, but Hibbert is a nice consolation prize. They did not have to ship out a lot of assets to acquire him, and he represents a large expiring contract. He also gives the team a quality rim protector, although he will have his work cut out for him considering who’s playing defense on the perimeter.

The Lakers struck out on the top free-agents, but Hibbert is a nice consolation prize. They did not have to ship out a lot of assets to acquire him, and he represents a large expiring contract. He also gives the team a quality rim protector, although he will have his work cut out for him considering who’s playing defense on the perimeter.

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Los Angeles Lakers

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