D'Angelo Russell scored 20 points, and Jordan Clarkson came off the bench with an impressive 25 points in 24 minutes, which helped to thwart a 34-point effort by James Harden.
Regardless of how the season opener unfolded, fans and anyone familiar with the organization understand this will be a long growing season for a roster of young and veteran talent led by head coach Luke Walton.
With one game in the books, here's a look at the latest news around the team.
The Cut-Down Explanation
Speculation ran rampant in the week leading up to the deadline concerning how the Lakers would trim the roster to meet NBA requirements.
Perhaps the hottest topic was the 36-year-old Metta World Peace, who looked like an expendable piece if it meant the Lakers could keep more young talent to build for the future. Apparently not in the eyes of the organization, though, since his joining the coaching staff was perhaps an idea.
World Peace isn't a free agent or fielding calls from other teams right now because the Lakers decided to keep him on board and let go of Anthony Brown and Yi Jianlian. Walton explained the move, per the team's official Twitter account:
The Lakers won't ask World Peace to do much on the court anymore. But it is clear Walton and the coaching staff value his leadership qualities as they do other veterans such as Luol Deng and Nick Young.
As a transition tool, World Peace is an ideal fit on the bench.
Lineup Developments
One of the biggest questions surrounding the Lakers after the simple trimming of the roster was how Walton would form his lineups and rotations.
Mark...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
