Everyone knows that the Lakers have the potential to make a few big splashes in the 2018 Free Agent Market. This, however, may be playing a part as to why the 2017 Lakers are struggling to play well consistently.
Earlier this week, Lakers F Julius Randle and Lakers G Jordan Clarkson found their names in trade rumors for the Lakers to free up cap space. Both Randle and Clarkson have been having solid seasons, but have struggled over the last few games with consistency. Veteran Center Andrew Bogut believes the business-side of basketball is hurting these players on the court.
“Pouting? Possibly. Guys are frustrated,” Bogut said of the Lakers as Brandon Ingram sat out because of injuries to his quads. “There are some injuries right now, different rotations. Guys are frustrated, obviously. You would be lying to say that there are guys that are not frustrated on this team.
“Everyone knows what is going on with the salary-cap situation next season and all that. That is just distractions that we can’t let affect us. That is part of the league, the business decisions that front offices and coaches make. So if that is distracting guys, that is going to be like that your whole career. That is just the nature of this league.”
With the hoopla around rookies Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma, it’s easy for Lakers’ fans to look past the hard work of Clarkson and Randle, who endured a lot of losing to get to the cusp of turning the corner, like the Lakers are right now. While Paul George, DeMarcus Cousins, or even LeBron James might make their way to LA, Clarkson and Randle might not be around to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
