The images flashed on electronic billboards across the Las Vegas strip. The posters stayed plastered on pillars and elevators inside the MGM Grand Hotel.

Both promotional items featured Lakers rookie guard D’Angelo Russell and second-year guard Jordan Clarkson standing behind Lakers second-year forward Julius Randle. Underneath all three players, a catchphrase in bold letters read, “The Next Generation.”

“That was tight,” Russell said about the Lakers’ ad for an exhibition this month in Sin City. “I got a picture of that.”

Kobe Bryant looked noticeably absent in the promotion.

The Lakers will still honor Bryant in other ways for the 2015-16 campaign in what will mark his 20th and perhaps final NBA season. They will have unspecified tributes for home games. The Lakers will have photos of Bryant on each game ticket. And the Lakers devoted the cover of their 2015-16 media guide to various images of Bryant throughout his 19 seasons donning purple and gold. But as Bryant represents the Lakers’ once glorious past, Russell, Randle and Clarkson represent the Lakers’ hopeful future.

The Lakers may enter their season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday at Staples Center fresh off of two consecutive missed playoff appearances. But those unpleasant finishes indirectly helped the Lakers land Randle (seventh overall in 2014), Clarkson (46th overall in 2014) and Russell (second overall in 2015).

“Their long-term potential could be outstanding,” Lakers coach Byron Scott told Los Angeles News Group. “I really think those guys could be in multiple All-Star games if they continue to develop.”

Russell, Randle and Clarkson have brushed off such expectations and the ensuing hype, including the Lakers’ promotional poster.

“That was cool to see that. But at the end of the day, that doesn’t mean anything,” Clarkson said of the Lakers’ recent promotion. “We got to go out there and perform.”

The drive

A recent two-hour practice just ended. But Russell and Randle lingered on the court. They had more shooting, footwork and post drills to perfect. Clarkson also would have stayed. But the Lakers encouraged him to remain conservative this week after experiencing soreness in his right shoulder.

All three have shown their hunger in other ways.

After fracturing his right leg 14 minutes into his rookie season, Randle devoted his 11-month recovery toward losing 20 pounds and studying film. Since then, Randle described his confidence “as high as it’s ever been.”

He became a playmaker that Bryant likened to “Lamar Odom in a Zach Randolph body,” averaging 11.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game in preseason play. Randle added he “absolutely” believes he will average a double-double once the regular season begins.

“That’s my expectations, but I’m not a guy that puts a number on things,” Randle said. “The biggest thing is how can I affect the game for us to win as many games as possible?”

Part of that also hinges on Russell. Ever since his second pre-draft workout with the Lakers, the 19-year-old Russell showed confidence that Scott compared to a former teammate (Magic Johnson) and a former player he coached (Chris Paul). Russell has resisted offering up any comparisons and insisted, “individual stats don’t matter to me.”

Instead, Russell has lived by his mantra, “if you’re open, I’m going to get it to you.” Teammates have gushed about Russell throwing countless no-look, behind-the-back and bounce passes into their hands. The Lakers have also become impressed with Russell’s persistent film study.

“It’s exciting. You watch yourself do things that wow everybody,” Russell said. “Then you see a team getting better every day. Then you see how that translates from practice to the game. “

Clarkson saw that play out a different way his rookie season. After sitting in 23 of the Lakers’ first 43 games, Clarkson then started at point guard amid Bryant’s season-ending right shoulder injury. Clarkson then landed on the NBA’s All-Rookie first team for averaging 15.8 points on 45.8 percent shooting, five assists and 4.2 rebounds through 38 appearances,.

The 23-year-old Clarkson then spent the offseason adding 10 pounds of muscle and tweaking his shooting stroke. He welcomed Russell’s arrival and became close friends. Clarkson then averaged 12 points on 45.2% shooting, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists through eight exhibitions.

“I don’t put a cap on anything I do,” Clarkson said. “I accomplished a lot. But I still feel like I have a lot of room to grow.”

Growing pains

Questions have emerged inside and outside the Lakers on the trio’s development.

They wonder if Randle will make jumpers consistently and use his right hand effectively. They wonder if Clarkson will diversify his game beyond scoring.

But most of the concern centers on Russell after averaging 6.9 points on only 39.6 percent shooting, 3.3 assists and 1.28 turnovers in training camp.

“He has to understand how to play this game at this level,” Scott said. “He has to understand it’s a totally different change of pace. These guys are more physical, more aggressive and they’re quicker.”

Russell has conceded those hiccups. But Russell also admitted feeling uncomfortable in Scott’s Princeton-based offense.

“I just want to figure out my role,” Russell said. “I don’t want to be stamped with ‘You’re this or you’re that.’ I want to know what coach wants and help better myself.”

Scott admitted that “us coaches have to put him in a position to be successful.” But Scott downplayed Russell’s suggestion the Lakers’ coach has not communicated with him about his development.

“That’s a young guy that doesn’t know what the hell is going on in the NBA right now,” Scott said, laughing. “When we start Wednesday, there will not be a question on what his role is.”

The Kobe factor

There will be questions, however, on how the Lakers’ young trio play with Bryant.

“Obviously it’s Kobe’s team. Kobe’s our go-to guy. “But we’re trying to figure out a way to mesh for the betterment of the team,” Randle said. “How can we come together as a team, sacrifice and shock some people?”

Russell, Randle and Clarkson have all gushed about Bryant’s mentorship. Bryant has publicly argued he prefers a reduced workload both so he can score more efficiently and ensure stronger health. But how will that play out in real time?

“It’s his team. But we all have something to prove,” Russell said. “We don’t have a taste yet of what it takes to be in the playoffs or win a championship.”

If they get that taste, Scott believed Bryant will prolong his career with the Lakers.

“All our young guys are trying to prove to Kobe that they’re capable of having the torch passed to them,” Scott said. “I don’t think it’s necessarily going to be one guy he passes to. It’ll probably be two or three guys.”

Those guys could be Russell, Randle and Clarkson, the face of the Lakers’ future and one of their latest promotional efforts.

“It is motivating. But right now, I’m not thinking about if it’s Kobe’s last year,” Clarkson said. “I’m trying to worry about this year and let the chips fall in place.”