The driving force for the Lakers this summer is maintaining continuity.  The team finished the season just two wins short of the NBA title and while the series against the Boston Celtics exposed some of the team's flaws (specifically toughness defensively), the expected return of center Andrew Bynum from a knee injury should be a huge addition for the club.

Trevor Ariza had the opportunity to opt out of his contract before July, but team staff assured him he was considered a vital part of the team.  He's one of the team's strong defensive players on the perimeter, but wasn't at his best throughout the NBA Finals after a long layoff with a foot injury.

The Lakers are trusting that their core with the additions of Bynum and Ariza at full strength will be enough to return them to the NBA Finals.

Players Acquired in Free Agency

Sasha Vujacic: Signed as a restricted free agent to a three-year, $15 million contract.
Grade: A-

Is $5 million a season too much for the backup shooting guard?  Perhaps, but the Lakers were able to keep one of the league's best outside shooters on a relatively short contract.

While Vujacic did little to distinguish himself over the course of his first three seasons, last year he made his mark, shooting 43.7% from behind the arc.  Vujacic isn't necessarily someone who can shut down an elite scorer, but he has improved defensively.

Vujacic allegedly had an offer to go play in Russia but had yet to receive any serious interest from any other NBA team outside of the Lakers.  That perhaps had more to do with his restricted free agency status than his market value around the league.

More importantly, the Lakers didn't have the means to replace him - so even if he got a little bit more than perhaps he deserved (which is completely subjective anyway) LA made the right move in keeping him.

Dwyane Mitchell:  Signed a rookie minimum contract, presumably non-guaranteed.
Grade: C

Mitchell is the first player on the Lakers' Las Vegas Summer League team to get an invite to camp.  At 6'5", he's an athletic option for the Lakers as they look to fill the end of the roster with young, developing players.

Mitchell was a D-League All-Star playing for the Iowa Energy.  In Vegas, he shot 61.9% from the field which more reflects his ability to finish at the rim than an ability to sink a jump shot.  Mitchell's tool set may be more suited for small forward in the triangle offense but the Lakers are well stocked at that position.

Mitchell will likely be competing against Coby Karl and rookie Joe Crawford to be the team's third string shooting guard behind Kobe Bryant and Sasha Vujacic.

Players Acquired via Trade

None
Grade: N/A

Players Acquired in the Draft

Joe Crawford: Taken with the 58th pick in the Draft.
Grade: C

Crawford is a 6'5" guard out of Kentucky.  In his senior year with the Wildcats, Crawford averaged 17.9 ppg on 46.9% shooting.  He has yet to sign a contract with the Lakers but was a starter on their Las Vegas Summer League entry where he averaged 11.3 ppg on 44.6% shooting.

Crawford has three-point range and hit at a 45.5% clip in Vegas (5-11).  Should he sign with the team, he would probably have to beat out Coby Karl and Dwayne Mitchell for a spot.

Business to Be Done:  General Manager Mitch Kupchak called keeping both restricted free agents Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf as the team's top offseason priorities.

When Turiaf received a four-year, $17 million offer from the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers took the full seven days to decide whether or not to match.

Ultimately the Lakers let Turiaf go. citing the price based on minutes available.  Behind Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, Turiaf just wasn't likely to get enough playing time to justify the salary.

Turiaf was great off the court and a positive influence on the team's overall chemistry.

To date the team hasn't replaced him but recently worked out a number of big men including Robert "Tractor" Traylor, Elton Brown and Lorenzo Mata-Real.  Whether the Lakers count on Chris Mihm (along with Gasol who should still get regular minutes at the five) to back up Bynum, sign a free agent or look to keep D.J. Mbenga, there's a good chance the team adds a body to the front court. 

Considering L.A. is well over the luxury tax level, it appears unlikely the Lakers use all of the Mid-Level Exception this summer.

Also unsigned is last year's second-round pick Sun Yue who the Lakers have made efforts to have in camp.  The Chinese guard may desire guaranteed money before coming to America.  L.A. would probably want him to sign a make-good contract and compete for a spot against Karl, Crawford and Mitchell.

The depth chart projects to be:

PG: Derek Fisher/Jordan Farmar
SG: Kobe Bryant/Sasha Vujacic/Coby Karl/Dwayne Mitchell (the latter two non-guaranteed)
SF: Lamar Odom/Trevor Ariza/Vladimir Radmanovic/Luke Walton
PF: Pau Gasol
C:  Andrew Bynum/Chris Mihm

Odom and even Radmanovic are likely to get minutes at power forward, as Gasol is likely to spell Bynum at center.

Total Off Season Grade: B

The Lakers haven't improved by bringing in new personnel but should be better than they were a year ago with health. 

The big question will be Odom's transition to small forward.  While Vladimir Radmanovic was hardly the perfect starter at the three, he did shoot 40.6% from three-point range last season.

Can Odom adjust to playing further from the basket?  Can he find a way to punish teams for backing off of him defensively (since he lacks a consistent jump shot) as the Celtics did in the NBA Finals?

Working in Odom's favor is his versatility.  The Lakers lengthy front court may be prove to be wholly unique and powerful this coming season.

If Odom struggles in his role, his talent and expiring contract make him an attractive trade piece.  At this point it appears unlikely he's moved before given the opportunity to succeed. 

Long-term the Lakers need to decide if Jordan Farmar is the eventual starter at the point or just a change of pace guard off the bench.  LA would definitely need a capable backup power forward should they do eventually decide to move Odom.

In the meantime, LA will add a few bodies to the roster before camp but the above rotation is probably close to final - at least for opening night.