ESPN analyst Ramona Shelburne breaks down what the Lakers need to do to grow stronger in the West, and it starts with LeBron James.

ESPN writer Tim Bontemps keeps it real about the Lakers "staying flat" this offseason as they look to contend for a championship.

Ayton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Of course, that was the same draft Luka Doncic was selected at No. 3 overall by the Atlanta Hawks and then traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Now, the two top 2018 picks will have a chance to team up and play together.

NBA free agency is underway, and after a week, some notable names remain unsigned. That includes Jonathan Kuminga and Josh Giddey, who are both restricted free agents this summer.

The Lakers were a part of a league setting trade on Sunday. As part of the trade they added a great athletic wing in Arkansas' Adou Thiero.

Hayes developed into the Lakers' starting center last season, averaging 6.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game while shooting a career-high 72.2 percent from the field. More NBA: Lakers may reunite LeBron James with four-time NBA champion coach via monster trade to Knicks