Although the Los Angeles Lakers filled out their roster around LeBron James by signing several veterans and later adding another in Tyson Chandler, the trajectory of the team was largely tied to how the young core would continue to develop.
The group showed promise last season, which was a factor in James deciding to sign with the Lakers, but have struggled in the past five games he and Rajon Rondo have been out. Kyle Kuzma missing the second half of Wednesday’s game with the Oklahoma City Thunder and not playing Friday has accentuated the problems.
Unable to solve recent issues that have plagued them — turnovers, stagnant offense in the fourth quarter, and missed free throws — the Lakers suffered a fourth loss in their past five games.