Luke Walton (Photo : Getty Images)
In the NBA offseason, two of its most popular teams are predicted to be major players. But will both of them win out?
The LA Lakers and New York Knicks are both projected to be major suitors of the top free agents as they both need to fill out their roster. Which of the two would have a better chance of success when the season opens next October?
The Lakers have a step in the lead because they already hired a new coach-and it was their actual first choice. Luke Walton was the preference of the Lakers brass and that was pointed as the reason why they waited until Tom Thibodeau and Scott Brooks were signed before they actually fired Byron Scott.
The Lakers also have a draft pick but it does have precarious protection (top 3) only. The Knicks have traded their pick to Denver as part of the Carmelo Anthony transaction.
In a feature on Bleacher Report, both teams were evaluated on their offseason needs. The New York Knicks have no choice but to pursue free agents but they don't have as much cap space as the Lakers. However, they do have a star player in Carmelo Anthony and a rising star in Kristaps Porzingis. The Lakers do not have a player at that level.
The priority is point guard for the Knicks but they don't have much chance to grab a top tier guard in free agency with Mike Conley most likely to have suitors.
Knicks reporter Sara Peters recommended that the Knicks pursue more realistic targets like the Atlanta Hawks' Kent Bazemore to provide the second scoring option. Bazemore can play alongside Anthony when he plays the four in a small ball offense.
Also, she recommends chasing Bismack Biyombo to "beef up the defensive intensity and rebounding the Knicks often lose when Robin Lopez and Kristaps Porzingis take breathers."
The main reason for optimism for the Lakers is still Walton. The young players are giddy as Julius Randle shared with the LA Daily News.. "It'll be fun for us all to get up and down with everybody and sharing the ball. That's going to be big for us this year."
The Lakers writer David Murphy noted that the Lakers will inevitably pursue Durant but they have little to no chance at him because KD will go to a contender if he does leave.
Still, Coach Walton could bring "Warriors-style offense will be tailor-made for Durant's floor-stretching, high-volume scoring" and it would be attractive for players who want to pad their stats. Warrior Harrison Barnes would definitely consider. It's unlikely they will turn out empty-handed.
In conclusion, the Knicks will go as far as Melo takes them. They won't be able to make any drastic improvement this offseason given their situation. The Lakers hinge their hopes on the ping pong balls and the whims of free agents. All it takes one top or second tier free agent to say "yes" and the Lakers can pass the Knicks.
