The new-look Los Angeles Lakers are poised to turn the franchise around after signing LeBron James and a group of veterans to complement their young roster. General manager Rob Pelinka believed that the Lakers needed to add a few key areas to improve the roster.

Pelinka told Kevin Ding of Lakers.com:

“Earvin and I had a conversation,” Pelinka said, “ and LeBron echoed this sentiment: To try to play the Warriors in their own game is a trap. No one is going to beat them at their own game. That’s why we wanted to add these elements: defense, toughness and depth—and try to look at areas where we’ll have an advantage.”

Pelinka and company signed Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley and JaVale McGee. There is a lot of experience between those four guys, and they all bring something different to the table.

Pelinka added:

“Rondo historically has been a tenacious, tough guy (with) steals. We wanted that mentality, and we identified it. Lance Stephenson, he’ll agitate you, he’ll get under you, he’ll cause you to get out of your game. And he can play in the open court and score at the rim.”

Rondo and Stephenson bring playoff experience and an attitude on defense. They can help bring along the young corps of players including Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Kyle Kuzma.

Pelinka and Magic Johnson assembled a diverse roster of young guys and veteran players centered around LeBron James. They may not have enough to beat the Warriors this year, but Los Angeles is developing something special.