The Los Angeles Lakers offseason has accumulated a mixed bag of hires and signings all while LeBron James is entering his 22nd NBA season. Have the Lakers done enough to propel them deep into the playoffs as contenders and keep James happy? Or is this Laker season positioned to fail before it has begun?
LA Lakers Offseason: A Review To Date
Lakers Offseason Began with Controversial Hire
The LA Lakers offseason has drawn more confusion, critique, and controversy than most teams this summer. The looming conversation has largely been around JJ Redick, whom the Lakers hired as their new head coach after what many in the NBA and media believe to be an unfair firing of Darvin Ham. Hiring Redick was followed by a firestorm of questions and uncertainty, as the former NBA sharpshooter and Duke standout has never coached in an NBA game in any capacity. The Lakers have admitted this to be a giant risk. Having said that, reports thus far claim that Redick has impressed and is already making a strong impact with current Lakers players.
On a more positive note, LeBron James and Anthony Davis won gold in this summer’s 2024 Paris Olympics. Both players played tremendously in routing the pool games and taking the gold medal matchup against the host nation, France. This offseason got even better on a personal note for King James as his son, Bronny, was drafted by LA. James will be able to experience a long-time dream of sharing an NBA floor with his son.
Key Player Departures
The Lakers’ offseason departures were mild, to say the least. Spencer Dinwiddie left in free agency to return to the Dallas Mavericks. After his only year in LA, Taurean Prince exited the team, signing a one-year veteran’s minimum contract in Milwaukee. Either player didn’t do much to change the Lakers’ fortunes last season. While there were early indications that Dinwiddie would resign in LA, he chose elsewhere in the end.
D’Angelo Russell was expected to depart the Lakers via trade this offseason. The team has failed to move the point guard to this point, and his name has been linked to several hypothetical trades. LA has not been secretive about shopping Russell, either. If he starts the season in LA, we could see him moved later in the year if nothing happens between now and the season’s start.
Key Player Acquisitions
Besides LeBron James resigning to remain a Laker, the organization’s key additions came in the draft. While the headlines focused on Bronny James, No. 17 Tennessee draft selection Dalton Knecht might be the most important offseason addition for the Lakers. Knecht played well in the Las Vegas Summer League, and the Lakers are enamored with his shooting abilities. Additionally, Max Christie re-upped with LA on a qualifying offer.
Don’t Sleep On the Lakers?
Despite what many NBA analysts and media pundits proclaim to be a failed offseason, the Lakers have what no other NBA team has: two top-ten players. Lebron James and Anthony Davis are still outstanding. Their performances in Paris strongly indicate their still existing greatness—we witnessed it. If he wants it bad enough, Davis is the x-factor for LA. They go as far as he goes. As for JJ Redick, give him a shot to surprise. Maybe the first-year coach is being poorly underestimated, and he’ll have the Lakers playing competitive basketball this year, leading to another postseason run.
