If there is one thing that Los Angeles Lakers fans are hoping for in the 2014-15 season, it's that it feels nothing like the 2013-14 season. Last season was one of the worst for LA's favorite sons in the 66-year history of the franchise with a record of 27-55. Now is the time to think about the future and the possibilities that a new season holds. This is likely going to be the next step in rebuilding the once-proud organization; here is the preview for the 2014-2015 Los Angeles Lakers.

One of the most pressing things that the Lakers face is woeful lack of depth on the bench. So much of this team is comprised of power forwards and with Kobe Bryant making as much money as he does, LA is not exactly inviting the next wave of free agents. Still, the rumors of the Lakers's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Bryant, Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer are on deck to deliver strong performances. Plus, NBA veteran Wayne Ellington has been signed, and he has always been known to put up good numbers. 

Combine the veteran leadership or players like Bryant and Nash with the potential of new players like Nick Young, Jordan Hill, Ed Davis and Julius Randle, and you're looking at competitors next season; not competitors for the championship, mind you, but competitors nonetheless.

That competitiveness begins with franchise player Kobe Bryant. There is no denying that Bryant has more games behind him than in front of him, but he's still a team leader and a five-time NBA champion. At this point the goal for him should be retiring with a sense of pride in the team that he built.

On Monday Bryant reportedly played 5-on-5 with his teammates and apparently looked, "Very good," according one witness. This probably helped assuage fans who are anxious to see if Bryant was prepared to go back to the court after last seasons injury. It should also help him gain some chemestry with his teammates that can translate to effectiveness in the season.

The Lakers also picked up Carlos Boozer after Pau Gasol left for Chicago. He may not be as effective as he once was, but make no mistake about it; 13.7 PPG and 8.3 RPG do not lie. The man knows how to score and produce on the court.

Rounding out the veterans on the roster are Jeremy Lin and Nick Young. Expect Lin to be the primary handler of the ball, but his value will also come with him working with the Lakers' second-round pick Jordan Clarkson to make him an effective guard. Young will be making his return to LA much to the delight of the fan base. If he can find a way to stay productive and a team player, he should give a spark to this offense.

Then there's Julius Randle. The rare first-round draft pick immediately increases the team's potential. The best thing the Lakers can do is give him the opportunity to work and work often. Give Randle every opportunity to develop his game and he will find his consistency through the season.

Of course these players need to settle down and work on the Lakers' most glaring problem: the defense. If you can't stop people from putting points on you, your offense might win you games, but it definitely won't win you championships. Wayne Ellington was probably the smartest get for this team yet. His contributions as guard should help put the team back on track. Get Jordan Hill and Ed Davis to make some big blocks and steals along with Ellington, then get the offense going from there, and hopefully they will be able to make some noise come playoff time.

The Lakers will probably not win a championship this season, nor will they look like the winning teams of old. However, all signs do point to them at least making marked improvements. In the end they will probably finish around third or fourth in their division. It may not be much, but it is a big step up from last place.