D'Angelo Russell (Photo : Getty Images)
The LA Lakers have been linked to virtually every superstar free agent and even on the NBA trade rumor mill.
All the speculation has created an impression that the roster is not complete, or that the front office is not yet pleased with the young core. The names of DeMarcus Cousins, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Jimmy Butler are still being dropped as the next "savior' of the franchise.
Does the LA Lakers even need to be "saved?" Every franchise has gone through rebuilding phases, even the Lakers (except for the San Antonio Spurs, but they are not the best managed franchise in professional sports for nothing). The NBA has taken measures specifically for discourage free agents from leaving-specifically to big market teams and the effect of those resulted in players having different priorities.
The Lakers were probably the primary target of those measures and their failed attempt at building a superteam has cost them tremendously. This is their situation now and the front office has accepted it, maybe the fans should, too.
D'Angelo Russell is currently tagged as the most talented player in the Lakers roster and wearing purple and gold. With that tag, he has been given a superstar or bust ticket as well. Lakers Outsiders believes that it will be the former, despite an unexciting rookie year.
Here are three reasons why D'Angelo Russell is the Lakers' next superstar.
Skills
Despite an inconsistent season (which was also attributed to bad coaching), Russell's skills still pulled through. As LO mentioned, "Russell's pick-and-roll game was seen as his strong-point before even entering the league, but he proved it to a great extent in the 2015-16 season. Most notable among Russell's skills out of the PNR was his veteran-like ability to create and keep space using his body."
Pick-and-roll is now the standard play in the NBA and the ability to execute it has become the barometer for good point guards. The Lakers are safe with Russell.
Opportunity
Success in the NBA is not just about talent but it's also timing and opportunity. Some skilled players never reach their potential because they never got good exposure or played in the wrong system.
The Lakers are handing over the keys to the team to D'Angelo Russell and this could be the difference maker for him. ESPN Insider Kevin Pelton projected that Russell could have a career arc like Kyrie Irving or John Wall based on first year performances, but he has work to do.
"Superstardom is going to require Russell to max out his development the way Bryant and Westbrook did," Pelton said.
According to Coach Luke Walton who is known for maxing out players'potential, the Lakers are now more focused on development than their current win/loss record. Sounds like the best opportunity for D-Loading.
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Russell will be the Lakers' superstar because no one else will be, at least for the time being. Westbrook will stay in OKC, Cousins is the only good thing the Kings have and they will hold on to him as long as they can. The Cavs don't feel any urgency to trade Love.
Until then, the Lakers star will come from their own ranks and Russell is simply, the best man for the title.
