Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has insisted that the franchise doesn’t have time to build through the Draft as they look to become competitive.
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The Lakers have the No.2 overall pick in the NBA Draft 2015 next month, and it is widely expected that they will select either Karl-Anthony Towns or Jahlil Okafor.
Speculation has also suggested that D’Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay are in contention, but the key factor in their decision is ensuring that they select a prospect that has the ability to ensure the organisation is in safe hands with Kobe Bryant set to retire at the end of next season.
With Julius Randle returning from injury and Jordan Clarkson continuing his development, the Lakers will seemingly have a strong core emerging on their roster.
Coupled with the fact that they have significant salary cap space to work with, they are expected to at least return to the playoff race next year.
Mitch Kupchak tells us on NBA Sunday Tip, "We don’t have …. the time to methodically and slowly build through the draft." @br_radio
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) May 24, 2015
It is understood that the Lakers will make a run at the likes of Rajon Rondo, Kevin Love or LaMarcus Aldridge, but based on their success in recent years in free agency, it may not solve their problem.
While many teams around the league would take time to rebuild and come back stronger, the Lakers have already suffered through two seasons without playoff basketball.
For such a storied franchise with a strong fanbase, another year of disappointment is unacceptable and so they will be desperate to put together a team capable of competing with the best in the Western Conference.
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