Photo Credits: FW Sports
As Western Conference runner ups, the Los Angeles Lakers had to be decisive in what was next for the team as the look to make another strong playoff push in what looks to be LeBron James’s last season as a Laker.
Losses: The Lakers gained a lost of people that helped be vital pieces throughout the 2022-2023 season, but as they “Business is Business”. Among the pieces that the Lakers lost included forward Troy Brown Jr., Guards Lonnie Walker IV, Malik Beasley, and Dennis Schörder, and lastly center Mo Bamba. While we lose 2 great players in Walker and Schörder, Lakers fan shouldn’t be worried about the loss of Beasley, Bamba, and Brown Jr. These 3 players found themselves to the back of the rotation due to either injuries or lack of consistency. The biggest loss has to be Lonnie Walker IV who had a breakout season for the Lakers. Stepping in to replace, Malik Monk as the 3rd best player alongside LeBron and Anthony Davis, Walker IV averaged 11.7 ppg, on 45% shooting from the field and 37% from the three and had a huge playoff run which helped the Lakers make it to the Western Conference Finals.
Additions: Rob Pelinka said he wanted to keep a majority of the team from last year together and that’s what he did. He resigned key role players in Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura. Outside of the players who are returning, the Lakers front office added new role players, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes and Gabe Vincent. If this ends up being LeBron’s final year as a Los Angeles Laker, Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss should get a round of applause for bringing back a majority of the team, and then adding more young talent on top of that.
Overall Grade: A- , the Lakers still need a veteran center which is why they get an A-. Hopefully before the season starts they can add Christian Wood, Bismack Biyombo or any other free agent center to get back to the land of glory, The Finals!!!!!