Kobe
September 28, 2015; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant speaks to press during media day at Toyota Sports Center. Reuters/Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers are in the middle of their rebuilding project entering the 2015-2016 NBA Season. With Kobe Bryant returning from injuries that has caused him to miss most of the last two seasons, the Lakers are set to battle for prominence in the tough Western Conference although they are still not pegged to reach the playoffs even with the addition of veterans and improvements of the young guys in the roster.

The reality in Hollywood is that they are still not good enough to be on the same level as the title and West contenders like the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets.

Kobe Bryant
Jan 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half of the NBA game at Staples Center. Reuters/Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Even if Bryant returns to his prime-- an unlikely scenario considering the Lakers veteran is already 37 years old and has struggled with various injuries the past seasons-- the Lakers line-up consists of veteran role players with marginal NBA talent and young guys who are still unproven that it may be difficult to keep up with the tough Western teams.

The Lakers’ young guns include 20-year-old Julius Randle, who played in less than half a game last season and will be virtually playing in his rookie year; 19-year-old D’Angelo Williams, who was drafted the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft; and 23-year-old Jordan Clarkson, who was one of the few bright spots for the disappointing Lakers squad last season.

Russell with Silver
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; D'Angelo Russell (Ohio State) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number two overall pick to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Reuters/Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Aside from Bryant, the Lakers will also feature veterans Roy Hibbert, Lou Williams, Nick Young and the come-backing Metta World Peace. Hibbert will man the middle, Williams and Young will provide the scoring punch off the bench and World Peace will add toughness— but it remains to be seen if they can play together efficiently for the duration of the entire season.

Jordan Clarkson
Oct 8, 2015; Ontario, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) grabs a loose ball in the first quarter of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Citizens Business Bank Arena. Reuters/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

2015-2016 Los Angeles Lakers Projected Depth Chart:
Point Guards: D’Angelo Russell/Lou Williams/Marcelo Huertas
Shooting Guards: Jordan Clarkson/Nick Young/Jabari Brown
Small Forwards: Kobe Bryant/Ryan Kelly/Metta World Peace
Power Forwards: Julius Randle/Brandon Bass/Larry Nance
Centres: Roy Hibbert/Tarik Black/Robert Sacre

Other 2015-2016 NBA Season Team Previews:
Toronto Raptors expect growth from DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas
Make-or-break season for OKC Thunder, Durant and Westbrook
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers look forward to return to NBA Finals

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