I work in elegant downtown El Segundo, California, home of the Los Angeles Lakers. I log my daytime hours surrounded by Lakers exceptionalism: the unshakeable condition that deludes Lakers fans to believe that a return to championship glory is just one to two max-contract free agents away.
It's all the talk at our Shake Shack. LeBron James. Paul George. Russell Westbrook. Kevin Durant. George Mikan's ghost. They're all coming. Lather in a couple of premium vets to the Lakers' tank-produced cadre of rising young stars, and blammo: Here come your 2019 world champs.
Coming into this season, the El Segundo version of The Process had yet to form a lot of luster. For Fantasyland, all of the recent Lakers tanking came at a statistical cost. Don't forget, last season's Lakers had to finish in the bottom three or lose their lottery pick.
Intentional losing has real fake consequences.
Over the past couple of campaigns, the Lakers have presented owners with a dry, desolate fantasy wasteland. In terms of providing fantasy-friendly production, last season's Lakers were the worst team in the NBA. On their own, both Westbrook and James Harden outproduced the top five Lakers (Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, D'Angelo Russell, Larry Nance Jr. and Nick Young) combined on the Player Rater.
This season's edition of the Lakers, led by rookie Lonzo Ball, struggled out of the gate. November was bad. December was a disaster. Despite not having their lottery pick, the Lakers appeared headed for another tank-esque finish. Through Jan. 5, the Lakers were 11-27.
Losing is one thing. But not offering fantasy production is inexcusable.
Coach Luke Walton's Golden State-brewed system should be fantasy friendly. They lead the league in pace at 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes. But this season's early edition of the Lakers wasn't offering much to fantasy managers.
They sported a questionable rotation, with supposed starters Randle and Brook Lopez relegated to reserve roles. In December, Randle averaged only 14.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 22.9 minutes per game. Lopez averaged 11.0 points and 3.6 rebounds in just 19.9 minutes per game.
Then at the trade deadline, the Cavs' front office decided to completely revamp their roster.
The Lakers suddenly found themselves minus Clarkson and Nance, replaced by Isaiah Thomas. Randle and Lopez started to gain minutes. Suddenly, the new-look Lakers found their rhythm.
As of today, the Lakers stand at 31-37 (having gone 20-10 since their Jan. 5 nadir). Over their past 10 games, the Lakers are 7-3.
Best of all, fantasy production is off the charts.
Led by Thomas (in a sixth-man role until last night) and restricted free-agent Randle (supposedly tabbed to depart this summer to clear cap room for LeBron and George), the Lakers have gone on a Player Rater bender.
Lopez is back to resembling his All-Star self. During his past five games, he has averaged 23.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 2.2 3-pointers with a 58.5 field goal percentage.
Randle has been nothing short of a roto revelation.
He's still not offering much in defensive stats, but his scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage are all at elite levels (23.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 61.8 FG% in March). Randle also offers some secret sauce in the assists column (3.1 per game for March).
Even minus an injured Brandon Ingram, the Lakers are running out six roster-worthy players.
Look at how the Lakers have jumped up the Rater over the past couple of weeks.
Kuzma (18.5 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 2.5 3PG during his past five games) has been almost as impressive as Randle and Lopez, but I'm even more intrigued by Ball, who has been surging.
His outside shot remains a work in progress, to put it charitably. During his past four games, Ball has shot a combined 4-for-29 from 3-point territory. But when his 3-pointer is falling, like it was a couple of weeks ago, the baby Jason Kidd comparisons suddenly don't sound so shocking. The assists, rebounds and steals are already coming in bunches. Plus, Ball possesses the rarest of fantasy point guard traits: shot-blocking ability.
The Lakers aren't going to the NBA playoffs, but they are rounding into form in time for the fantasy playoffs. As they finish out the string, they'll be an intriguing team this summer, even without a first-round pick. They're going to have a lot of difficult decisions to make.
It's starting to look like the Lakers should match whatever max offer might be coming Randle's way. Lopez and Thomas likely won't be re-signed, as the Lakers look to at least land George. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will also be an unrestricted free agent.
We haven't even talked about Ingram. Of all the young players on the Lakers' roster, I still believe Ingram has the most fantasy upside. At times, he has looked like he could eventually justify the Durant comparison that Lakers exceptionalists fastened upon him after the 2016 draft.
Whatever happens, the Lakers' future fantasy outlook suddenly looks bright. If you're chasing upside in next season's drafts, Ingram, Randle, Ball and Kuzma could justify early-to-middle round consideration.
And if I were Paul George -- I'd do it. If I were LeBron -- I'd consider it.
