Six seasons have passed without the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs. The mission for the franchise as training camp begins is clear.
FILE PHOTO: May 20, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Frank Vogel (right) addresses the media at a press conference as he is introduced as the new Los Angeles Lakers head coach at UCLA Health Training Center. Left is Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
“We’re looking forward to getting after it,” new head coach Frank Vogel said at Lakers media day Friday in El Segundo, Calif. “We have the ability to win the ultimate prize.”
General manager Rob Pelinka discounted the notion that the Lakers gave up too much to add to a roster centered around LeBron James.
“When your starting point is two of the best players in the universe, that’s a pretty strong starting point,” Pelinka said. “We don’t want to get too far ahead in what our roster stands for. We’re very confident in our guys and the ability to reach the ultimate goal.”
Pelinka described James as “locked in,” saying he received three-way calls and text messages from James before acquiring Anthony Davis, and the input continued all the way to the end of the summer when the Lakers landed Dwight Howard.
“That’s how we’re doing things: Make sure we’re a family of 15 people and everyone’s voice matters,” Pelinka said.
Pelinka said the Davis trade and subsequent moves were in part reciprocity for James putting his trust in the team as a free agent in July 2018.
James averaged 27.4 points. 8.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists in his first season with the Lakers, and was limited to 55 games. Not long after the season ended, the roster overhaul began. Pelinka changed coaches, letting go of Luke Walton, and almost entirely rebuilt the roster. Gone are Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart — shipped to New Orleans in the Davis deal — with newcomers including Avery Bradley, Danny Green, Quinn Cook to space the court.
Vogel said he will balance keeping veterans fresh with being balanced and versatile with his lineups.
“We’re trying to win every game we play,” Vogel said. “We want to win opening night. We want to win the first 10, the first 20.”
The Lakers will “abide by the league’s lead” in the matter involving DeMarcus Cousins, who is out for the season due to injury but was accused of domestic violence.
Pelinka did say guard Kyle Kuzma’s injury is not viewed as a long-term concern. Kuzma is out indefinitely with a foot injury.
—Field Level Media