It will take some time for the Los Angeles Lakers' new-look roster to build chemistry and reach its potential this coming season. They lost LeBron James, Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes while also trading Deandre Ayton, and they have brought in Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Kevon Looney, Jaden Hardy, Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle and rookie Cameron Carr so far this summer.
When the NBA summer league was held in Las Vegas a little earlier this month, and Khobi Price of the California Post said during an appearance on 97.1 The Fan radio that the Lakers held a mini-camp there.
“There was a veteran’s camp in Vegas. I’m just going off the top of my head but I know Jake LaRavia was there,
Walker Kessler was there. Sexton was there. Mamu was there. Bronny James was there. Jarred Vanderbilt was there. Jaden Hardy was there…That’s part of building chemistry. It started in mid-July in Vegas where you’re having veterans camp. They’re not doing anything crazy but getting workouts, getting to know one another, especially when it’s so many new faces. Austin Reaves was there. So many new faces that even stuff like that, that can help build chemistry and just help build familiarity.”
In all likelihood, this coming season's edition of the Lakers won't be as good as last season's edition, when the team went 53-29 and finished with the fourth seed in the Western Conference. But this season's iteration could look better in the sense of having more balance throughout the roster and more non-stars who can make things happen offensively, both by scoring and making plays off the dribble.
Los Angeles has upgraded its speed, athleticism, 3-point shooting and perhaps even, to a limited extent, its defense. It still has a big hole at the starting wing or forward position, which is why it reportedly continues to pursue Jonathan Kuminga.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers held a mini-camp this month in Las Vegas
