Lakers Solidified Their Status as Contenders With Three Offseason Moves https://t.co/m2pNA80tKU
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) July 7, 2024
The Los Angeles Lakers have been unable to find the winning formula since their NBA championship victory in the 2019-20 season. They’ve tried different coaches and rosters around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but the closest they came was their run to the Western Conference Finals in the 2022-23 season. They attempted to replicate their success last season with the same core and a few additions, only to fall in the first round.
The roster looked solid on paper, even if they never looked like one of the best teams in the West. But poor coaching, lack of aggressiveness at the trade deadline, and ultimately facing their bogey team, the Denver Nuggets, is how their season came to an unceremonious end.
There were a lot of expectations for the Lakers to make big moves this off-season, with the rest of the West improving considerably. They tried, but ultimately fell short, and saw their targets reject Hollywood.
They did make some moves, albeit not as flashy, that could ultimately make them contenders for the upcoming season.
Hired JJ Redick
Redick is one of the smartest minds around basketball, and his podcast with LeBron echoed that. One of his coaching strengths could be his playcalling, which coincidentally, was a huge shortcoming of the Ham regime. There weren’t enough plays being called, and the Lakers were simply relying on individual brilliance to score, making every possession a hard-fought two or three points. Avoiding that will be huge for their aging stars.
The Lakers three-point shooting should be much improved next season, now that they have one of the best shooters of the previous decade in charge. They were eighth-best in efficiency from deep, but ranked 28th in the league in attempts. Given his liking for off-ball action, Redick should be able to help the team improve in these areas.
The Lakers were four wins away from the fourth seed last season, and the season could have ended differently. The top three teams may have separated themselves, but the Lakers were right behind them despite having Ham at the helm. With a potentially better coach in charge, they should be in a better position in the upcoming season.
This could be a lot to expect from a first-time coach, but Redick looks like a promising hire.
NBA Draft Success
This might have involved some luck. Not that the Lakers minded
Lakers rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James
Heading into the Draft, it seemed like the Lakers would’ve been targeting a big body. Christian Wood is a great backup big, but his health is a concern, while Jaxson Hayes isn’t good enough to be in a playoff rotation. So it made sense to target a front court player to provide cover for Davis.
But those potential plans went out the window when Dalton Knecht became available. The former Tennessee star was one of the most NBA-ready prospects and one of the best shooters in the draft. He was projected as a top-10 pick, as high as number five. But his age might have been a deterrent for other teams, and the Lakers were more than happy to oblige when he fell all the way to the 17th pick.
Considering the aforementioned shooting issue, Knecht was an easy choice for the Lakers, who have always needed shooters. So drafting one of the best in the country was more than what they would have hoped for.
Knecht is more than just a shooter though, and is a prolific scorer from all over the court. He is a perfect fit alongside the Lakers stars and should have a smooth transition into the Lakers rotation.
The Lakers also drafted Bronny James with their 55th overall pick. He may not be good enough to make the rotation in the near future, but it was the insurance they needed to make sure LeBron returned to Los Angeles in free agency. Even if it takes a while until he becomes a regular for the team, Bronny’s impact off the court is already evident.
Prepared For Trade Deadline
The Lakers could be in for a splash in February
D’Angelo Russell reacts after a play.
The Lakers sat pat in free agency as they watched their rivals improve, with many wondering when GM Rob Pelinka would awaken from his slumber. But with no roster spots to work with, the Lakers would have to waive players if they wanted to add new signings, or pay ridiculous prices for trades.
They may not have made a splash in the off-season, but that doesn’t mean they will be quiet at the trade deadline. Their most successful moves in recent years have come at the deadline, when they traded for D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley, and Rui Hachimura in 2023. The deadline is when teams have a much better idea of where they stand, whether they want to be sellers or buyers, and that’s when the Lakers should capitalize.
More players will be available on the trade block in February, and with expiring contracts like Russell, Wood, and Hayes, the Lakers will be in a great position to make moves. If that isn’t enough, Knecht could also be on the block as a sweetener for any deal.
Is it ideal to put your season on the line at the trade deadline? Probably not, but it’s not like the Lakers have been spoiled for choice this off-season. A big move may not be necessary, but as long as they have the right pieces around James and AD, the Lakers will always be contenders. Or at least try to be.
With LeBron discount, Lakers avoid second tax apron and can now proceed with making a couple of moves to fill holes and strengthen starting lineup and rotation.
What I wish is the Lakers would just decide whom they want and go and get them rather than casting a wide net and then taking whatever is perceived to be best deal.
Right now, best player and best fit are better strategies than best deal. Lakers need winner. I’m intrigued by the options the Lakers have but am not confident Lakers will make the right choices.
For example, I love the idea of being able to trade for Zach LaVine and a pick from the Bulls and then use that pick to go out and get a stretch 5 like Brook Lopez while keeping Austin Reaves. Starting lineup of Reaves, LaVine, James, Davis, & Lopez while still keeping 2 FRPs and 2 FRP swaps.
I also like trading for Grant and Williams and keeping Russell. Starting lineup of Russell, Reaves, Grant, James, Davis with Williams off the bench would be great but would also cost our two FRP’s. Is it better than option 1 though, where we keep the picks, get a replacement superstar in LaVine to replace LeBron, and keep our draft capital? Don’t think so.
Be interesting to see what Rob eventually does. We’ve at least dodged roster killers like DeRozan so JJ is not screwed over. Now can Rob make the right decision instead of just taking what the market decides to give us. What would Bob Myers do in this situation? I bet he would go for Zach and Brook.
Nice post Tom, there were 2 things that killed us last year. The injuries to role players throughout the season into the playoff’s really hurt. We never got an opportunity to see what this squad could do. The other was Darvin. He never figured out how to maximize the talents of the players. While injuries will always be an issue I think JJ will do a better job of utilizing the talent on the team. I look at trade from a cost benefit analysis and while there are players out there that could potentially be an upgrade when you measure the cost, they don’t move the needle much. It’s best to save our assets for a true impact player. Also continuity will be important. If we have better health we may actually be able to see what this team can do. Now can Robb find a way to open a roster spot or two. Cutting a guy really doesn’t help because the salary remains. He needs to pay a team with cap space to take a guy like many teams have done this off season.
Aloha, Michael,
I definitely think the hiring of JJ and drafting of Knecht along with major contributions from guys who were injured last season or trades to upgrade those players could make the Lakers a better team than last season. There is definitely something to say about continuity but we clearly need to upgrade our POA perimeter defense, backup rim protection and rebounding, and increased volume of 3-point shooting.
The biggest challenge still will be how to replace DLO. I’d be fine keeping DLO and seeing what JJ could do with him but that’s probably unrealistic. D’Angelo is such a perfect fit offensively that he is going to be hard to replace. Don’t think we’re going with Trae. Hard to see other paths that get us an elite two-way point guard. Smart is probably long shot. For some reason, it’s looking more and more like it will be Reaves.
Thankfully, LeBron shaved off enough so we won’t be over the second apron. Now we’re ready to make some moves. Truth is this is the time when it gets scary. What will Rob do. I think they have to use the picks. LeBron pretty much has forced them to do that. I don’t think Rob wants to come out and kick the can down the road again. LeBron might not be there when it lands. I’m concerned that this might be his last year.
I agree with everything you said, Tom. I am only praying for health for next season. I think we should be able to go toe to toe with most of the teams in the west. I just wish we were financially capable, but we have to leave that behind us and believe in what we have. There is no going back to undo the damage done.
So basically they same squad, just older, and with a coach that has 0 coaching experience, and that’s better? Bro, you need to can it with this nonsensical positivity already. You’ve been trying to speak it into existence forever and it still hasn’t happened. Now we have this old clown eating up the cap with his useless kid putting the team into the 2nd apron and you think they’re contenders? Even they don’t think they’re contenders. They basically gave Lebron the farewell tour contract now. This team is cooked. Come off it already.