This Los Angeles Lakers squad was built with the understanding that this is a two-year project. Win as many games this season, make a run in the playoffs, and play the free agency game next summer. That was the plan. That is, however, why you play the games.
The sluggish start has created two important narratives to this point. First, you have the reported, not so cordial, meeting between Magic Johnson and Luke Walton. Luke, coming into this season, was an afterthought in terms of change.
He was thought to have done a fairly good job with the young talent he possessed.