Followers of NBA giants the LA Lakers may be off on their preseason holidays, but they have one eye of movements in and out of the team during the summer, knowing business done at this time of year will shape the campaign ahead.
There are no fixtures of note taking place at the minute, but the coaching staff and team board are tasked with building a squad for the coming season and they must do it with strict guidelines in place. Going out and splashing the cash on big name players is no longer an option and seen as a shortcut to success.
Management fall on their sword
In modern times, everyone connected must be cuter than that, using their experience and knowledge of the markets. What’s more, they must operate knowing they will live and die on decisions made in summer.
Find the next big things or a player on the cheap that will enhance the squad and fans will be cheering from the rooftops. Spend too much cash on a dud or release the wrong man and management will fall on their sword. It’s a tense time of year and the fact the situation is the same at all major clubs in the NBA makes for a drama. No games or results, but still plenty for followers of NBA to talk about.
Pressure on to end the wait
The Los Angeles Lakers have no less than 16 NBA Championships in the record books and an incredible 31 conference titles, making them one of the major forces in professional basketball. Their last championship award came back in 2010 and a nine-year wait is just too long for regulars at the Staples Center. The natives are becoming restless and beginning to demand general manager Rob Pelinka, head coach Frank Vogel and the board end what has been a painful trophy drought.
Making the right moves during the free agency trade is crucial and the team has drawn up a list of their top transfer targets. At the top of the charts is thought to be Kemba Walker and that name will spark excitement amongst fans who understand he’s the kind of player that could instantly turn around the Lakers fortunes, especially if he can be thrown in with Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Supporters would truly love to see the team triumph and win the title while LeBron is still playing, believing they owe the great man that send off. Could this be the year they deliver the goods?
Walker an ambitious man
Attracting Walker would certainly boost their chances as he is a three-time All Star who is still at the peak of his talents. Tempting him to switch sides would be no mean feat as the player himself has stated on many occasions he would be happy to remain playing at Charlottle, but he’s an ambitious man and the chance to join the likes of Davis and James may prove too much to turn down. Those loyal to the Lakers cause will certainly hope it gives him something to think about, that’s for sure.
Another factor worth considering is the fact Kemba Walker is now 29 years old. That doesn’t make him a veteran in any sport, but it is a time of his career he really should be thinking about getting a move on and securing the titles and awards that will cement his legacy. The LA Lakers could offer him the chance to do just that.
Bookmakers back the Lakers
The Anthony Davis capture already set the cat amongst the pigeons, forcing bookmakers to slash the odds of LA Lakers winning the championship this season. The money men had to act quickly in the face of a punters surge to get their stake money down on the chances of this new look and ambitious Lakers side. Punters can now back Lakers with top betting firms, or take a look at the new bookies that focus on mobile betting technology and offer even more generous deals, such as Leovegas sportsbook app that was rated as the best new betting app in the UK by TBA website.
The current betting has LA Lakers as favourites to win this season’s NBA title with odds of 7/2 available with most firms. That quote places them ahead of the likes of Milwaukee Bucks at 7/1, Toronto Raptors 15/2, Houston Rockets 10/1 and Golden State Warriors who can also be backed at odds of 10/1. The better deals made at this stage of the year, the more interest there will be in Los Angeles winning the title and, as a result, their price will continue to fall. With that in mind, if you do fancy a bet on the Lakers it would be wise to act sooner rather than later.
