A franchise that has expected excellence for most of its history now heads into a transitional period that demands patience as it rebuilds.
The Lakers finished last season 17-65, the worst record in franchise history, four games worse than the previous mark set just one season earlier.
The road back won’t be quick or easy. But patience will work only if coupled with progress.
These five questions face the Lakers as they head to training camp.
How will Coach Luke Walton’s approach help the team’s young core develop?
The early marks for Walton’s relationship with his young team have been exceptional. Point guard D’Angelo Russell, entering his second season, gushes about Walton every chance he gets. He gave Walton a standing ovation during a news conference this offseason.
At 36, Walton is the NBA’s youngest head coach. Only four years removed from his NBA playing career, he relates to his team in a way older coaches might not. That’s especially important given a roster that features eight players under the age of 25, including 19-year-old Brandon Ingram, 20-year-old Russell and 21-year-old Julius Randle, and should help their development. Whatever progress the Lakers make will depend on those players’ growth. It’s the most important task before Walton.
Will center Timofey Mozgov and forward Luol Deng be worth the investment?
Early in free agency, the Lakers signed Mozgov, 30, to a four-year deal worth $64 million and Deng, 31, to a four-year deal worth $72 million. Both are considered positive locker-room presences and their veteran experience will be important for the team’s young players. Beyond that, they could fill important transitional roles for the Lakers.
Deng will serve as the starting small forward until Ingram, the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft, is ready to step into that role. Mozgov could play a role in Walton’s system that is similar to Andrew Bogut’s with the Golden State Warriors.
When will Ingram be ready to take a more prominent role?
The small forward out of Duke has quickly grown weary of questions about his weight. At 6 feet 9, Ingram weighed only 190 pounds when drafted and immediately set to work bulking up his frame. That process will take time, as will his transition to the NBA. Walton has no intention of rushing Ingram’s development.
What about Nick Young?
Despite rampant speculation this offseason that the Lakers would trade or waive Young, he appears headed to training camp. He’s stayed in good shape this offseason, and was around the team facility for unofficial offseason practices. Russell and Young were the subject of last year’s fraught drama over the publication of a video Russell filmed in which Young was seen talking about women other than his fiancee, rapper Iggy Azalea.
 The two seem to be co-existing. Russell said he and Young talk on the court, but haven’t discussed the incident. And he maintains that he did not release the video and has no idea how it became public. Young has been quoted by TMZ asking others for leniency for Russell.
What is Jim Buss’ future with the organization?
In April 2014, Buss, the Lakers’ co-owner and executive vice president of basketball operations, told The Times: “If this doesn’t work in three to four years, if we’re not back on the top – and the definition of top means contending for the Western Conference, contending for a championship – then I will step down because that means I have failed.”
This is the third season following that declaration. Co-owner and team President Jeanie Buss has the ultimate authority to decide her brother’s fate.