All-Star weekend is now complete, and the Lakers head into the final stretch of the season a game under .500 and as the 10th seed in the Western Conference. Currently, outside of the playoffs, questions remain of the Lakers’ playoff hopes and Walton’s job security.
Walton has been on the hot seat for the majority of this year. Apparently, LeBron James and his camp are not fans of the third year head coach, and recent reports would make it seem like there are potential replacements already lined up outside of Staples Center.
According to Las Vegas, odds are Walton will not be coaching the Lakers by next season. Potential replacements include Jason Kidd, Mark Jackson, and yes, LaVar Ball. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right?
I sure hope so.
Although it has been discussed, Walton will not be fired this season. Firing a coach this late would do more harm than good. It would be detrimental to the team’s chemistry, which has already taken a hit following the Anthony Davis trade debacle, and the Lakers organization. However, the offseason could be a different story. The remainder of the season will dictate Walton's future with the team. If the Lakers miss the playoffs, Walton will be fired.
The solution is winning, and in order to win, the Lakers need Lonzo Ball.
Lonzo Ball is expected to return shortly following the All-Star break and just in time for Los Angeles to make a late run at the playoffs.
The thought of Los Angeles almost trading Ball is frustrating, to say the least. Out of the young core, Ball should be the most untouchable. Hopefully, the Lakers are finally realizing how valuable Ball is to the rest of the team. The team is 3-8 since Ball’s ankle sprain and have looked lackluster since his injury over three weeks ago.
Ball makes everybody better offensively by initiating the pace and facilitating easy buckets. However, his latest stint of absence is causing people to realize his value on the other side of the floor. His defensive efforts make the Lakers better defensively, too. According to FanSided’s Adam Goldman, the Lakers rank 27th in defense since Ball’s injury.
As the saying goes, “health is wealth.” That remains true for Los Angeles. Health is wealth and in this case, winning. There have been only 23 games where the Lakers played with a full and healthy roster. In those games, they are 15-8 and look like the fourth seed in the Western Conference. The club even beat the Golden State Warriors at full health, which speaks into the potential of the current roster.
If Ball gets healthy and remains that way, I have confidence that Los Angeles will make the playoffs. If the Lakers make the playoffs, then Walton will have a better chance of surviving the offseason, which should already be the case.
The Lakers need a healthy Lonzo Ball, especially Luke Walton if he wants to keep his job.
*preview photo credited ClutchPoints
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