GM Mitch Kupchak Says Lakers ‘Can Get Better Quickly’

USA Today

With the worst season in franchise history behind them, the Los Angeles Lakers will head into the NBA offseason with high hopes of being able to right the ship. The storied franchise will have as much as four picks in the upcoming NBA draft and enough cap space to sign at least one max player in free agency this summer.

Needless to say, the Lakers face a crucial offseason in which they’ll have the means to drastically improve their roster. After three straight disappointing seasons and moves that haven’t panned out, the franchise will be heavily criticized next season if unable to turn things around.

On Thursday, general manager Mitch Kupchak wrapped up team exit interviews and talked about the Lakers’ intentions heading into the offseason. Kupchak believes Los Angeles can improve quickly, via Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times:

“We can get better quickly. We can be in the hunt quickly,” he said. “A lot depends on May 19.”

The NBA draft lottery will take place on May 19 and the Lakers have a great chance of retaining the pick. If the pick drops out of the top five, the Philadelphia 76ers will own the pick as a result of the Steve Nash trade back in 2012. The Phoenix Suns traded the rights to the pick before the NBA trade deadline in a three-way deal for Brandon Knight.

Along with potentially having a high lottery pick, the Lakers will be armed with enough cap space to sign at least one max contract player. Rajon Rondo continues to get mentioned as a target in free agency along with Goran Dragic and possibly Kevin Love if he elects to opt out of his deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

It may be a make-or-break offseason for the Lakers brass with a potential shakeup in the front office if the franchise continues to struggle next season.