Here are a few lines from a story posted today on Yahoo! Sports:

Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis has emerged as the front-runner for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ coaching job, multiple league sources tell Yahoo! Sports. Rambis leads a pool of finalists that includes ABC-TV analyst and former NBA point guard Mark Jackson and Houston Rockets assistant Elston Turner. Though a source close to Rambis said earlier (today) that he has not yet been offered the job, multiple people with knowledge of the search said an offer was expected soon. Rambis also is expected to meet with T’wolves owner Glen Taylor.”

So, did Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak make the right move by signing Ron Artest to replace the departed Trevor Ariza and did Kupchak also get it right by re-signing Lamar Odom when it looked as if he might bolt? Shannon Brown is back, too. The Lakers have all but Ariza and Sun Yue back on the roster from the 2008-09 championship team, which begs the question: Was the offseason a success? Or will swapping Artest for Ariza come back to haunt the Lakers? How good will the Lakers be next season? Can they win a title again?

The defending champion Lakers open the 2009-10 season against the Clippers on Oct. 27 at Staples Center, the NBA announced today. The Lakers also play host to LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas Day, which was the worst-kept secret in the schedule. In addition, the Lakers host Finals opponent Orlando on Jan. 18. The Boston Celtics visit Staples Center on Feb. 18.