While our historically unlikely Finals showdown begins its massive buildup, the Los Angeles Lakers' braintrust, led by longtime general manager Mitch Kupchak, is plotting for a crucial offseason. Los Angeles is reeling from an unprecendented level of futility for the franchise.

The 61 losses last season set a franchise mark that was but one season old. The two-year total of 116 defeats is 22 more than any other two-season stretch of Lakers basketball. In missing the playoffs in back-to-back years, the current Lakers accomplished something never before seen in the franchise's 67-year history.

You get the point: The Lakers have never been this bad. However, rather than wallowing in the type of gloom and uncertainty that marked our offseason plan of the New York Knicks last week, the Lakers can revel in the prospect of brighter days ahead.

Let's take a peek at turns the Lakers' offseason might take as the NBA's glamour franchise tries to climb back to the peak of a league it's owned for so long.