Time is ticking on these Los Angeles Lakers this season, and now the franchise can finally see a clear picture of what it has. From the front office to the coaching staff to the players, a likely failure to reach the postseason brings complex, multi-faceted aspects for which to assign responsibility.



The Lakers have mismanaged different areas of LeBron James’ first season. After receiving James’ commitment, Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka constructed this roster. Instantly, people — from executives and scouts around the league to fans — questioned whether Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee and Michael Beasley made sense. James has historically succeeded with shooters around him and this seemed an odd mix, but the Lakers’ front office believed the combination of winners and versatile, playmaking pieces would gel and help elevate L.A.’s young...