Los Angeles Lakers

Mitch Kupchak reportedly thinks Lakers are ready to make playoffs

Published Jul. 10, 2015 4:57 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Los Angeles Lakers have had a rough free-agency period, losing out on potential targets that included LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love and Greg Monroe.

But despite these misses, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak is still looking on the bright side, telling ESPN that the playoffs are within sight.

The Lakers did trade for center Roy Hibbert and signed guard Lou Williams and forward Brandon Bass. They also drafted former Ohio State star point guard D'Angelo Russell. So it wasn't a total loss. And Kobe Bryant should be ready to go after rehabbing from shoulder surgery.

But the Lakers finished a franchise-worst 21-61 last season and were 24 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot. With the Western Conference as strong as ever, Los Angeles will probably need to win at least 45 games to have a shot at the eighth seed next season.