The only three teams that have yet to make a single free agent signing or trade acquisition this offseason are the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers. Any new players for these teams were acquired via the draft or two-way signings, according to NBA insider Keith Smith.
For the Lakers, the roster changes have been minimal. They added Dalton Knecht, the 17th pick, and Bronny James, the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Meanwhile, Spencer Dinwiddie and Taurean Prince are the only players who have left the team. This near-unchanged roster reflects a significant bet on continuity despite not being seen as a top contender last season.
The Celtics‘ decision to maintain their roster is understandable. They are coming off an NBA title with a young, highly talented squad. Keeping their championship-winning team intact makes sense as they aim to defend their title and build on their historic season.
Similarly, the Cavaliers have opted for stability. They made a significant coaching change by replacing J.B. Bickerstaff with Kenny Atkinson but otherwise kept their roster intact. With a strong team led by recently re-signed Donovan Mitchell, they are positioned as one of the top teams in the East. Their focus has been on internal development and maintaining the core that has shown great promise.
The Lakers’ approach, however, raises questions. While they have a solid star duo in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who are currently excelling for Team USA, their supporting cast is less certain.
The Lakers have been a perennial play-in team, and many expected them to make moves to bolster their roster further. The lack of significant acquisitions suggests confidence in their existing lineup, but it also highlights potential vulnerabilities.
LeBron and Davis have been standout performers in the exhibition games for Team USA, indicating they are still among the best players in the league. However, the supporting cast around them remains a concern. The Lakers have also made a coaching change, with Darvin Ham and the entire coaching staff leaving and JJ Redick and others coming in. This coaching overhaul might bring fresh strategies and a new dynamic to the team.
Adding to the challenge, the Lakers are only $45,000 below the second apron, a threshold that NBA teams are desperately trying to avoid due to its restrictive financial implications. This constraint limits their ability to make significant roster moves without exceeding the second apron, complicating efforts to improve the team. However, opportunities still exist, such as acquiring a superstar like Trae Young while managing to stay below the second apron.
Overall, the Lakers’ decision to stick with their current roster could be seen as a gamble. While their stars are performing at a high level, the rest of the team needs to step up to elevate them from play-in contenders to legitimate championship threats. The coming season will reveal whether this strategy of continuity will pay off or if their lack of offseason moves will hinder their success.
The Lakers Era With LeBron James And Anthony Davis Has Been Underwhelming
The Lakers made a blockbuster move five years ago, sending Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks to the Pelicans in exchange for Anthony Davis. This allowed them to pair Davis with LeBron James, forming a dynamic superstar duo. The team complemented this pair with a strong supporting cast, and the results were immediate as the Lakers won the NBA title in 2020.
However, the following years have been underwhelming despite the initial success. In the 2020-21 season, the Lakers appeared to have upgraded their roster with better role players and complementary pieces.
They were favorites to repeat as champions. Unfortunately, injuries to Davis and later LeBron derailed their season. They plummeted from the top spot in the West to the 7th seed and were eliminated in the first round as Davis sustained another injury during the playoffs.
In the 2021-22 season, instead of maintaining a similar roster that had worked for the past two years, the Lakers opted to acquire another superstar in Russell Westbrook. They filled the squad with older veteran players, leading to questions about the team’s fit. Davis missed nearly half the season due to injury, and LeBron also missed time. The fit issues were glaring, and the Lakers failed to make the playoffs, resulting in Frank Vogel losing his job.
The 2022-23 season saw the Lakers hire a new coach, Darvin Ham, but they retained Westbrook, and the fit remained problematic. At the trade deadline, they traded Westbrook for pieces that better complemented Davis and LeBron.
This mid-season adjustment sparked a turnaround, propelling the Lakers from outside the play-in spots to the 7th seed. They made a surprising run to the Western Conference Finals but were swept by the superior Denver Nuggets.
In the 2023-24 season, the Lakers made strategic offseason changes, signing key pieces to complement their star duo. However, the team still struggled, and Ham’s coaching was questioned. Despite the issues, the Lakers made no significant moves at the trade deadline and finished the season in the 7th seed.
They faced the Nuggets again in the playoffs and lost in five games, revealing persistent weaknesses. Consequently, Darvin Ham was fired, and JJ Redick was brought in as the new head coach. Yet, the lack of substantial roster changes remains a concern.
In the five years of the LeBron-Davis era, the Lakers have one title, one Western Conference Finals appearance, two first-round exits, and one season without making the playoffs. Given the talent level of LeBron and Davis, the Lakers should have secured multiple titles and more NBA Finals appearances.
Two main reasons can be identified for this underperformance. First, injuries, particularly to Davis, have consistently hampered the team’s success. Second, the front office has made several questionable decisions, from roster construction to coaching changes, preventing the Lakers from maximizing their potential.
The LeBron James and Anthony Davis era in Los Angeles has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. The initial promise was fulfilled with a championship in 2020, but subsequent seasons have been marred by injuries, questionable roster decisions, and missed opportunities.
While the talent of LeBron and Davis is undeniable, the Lakers’ front office has struggled to consistently surround them with the right supporting cast and make timely adjustments.
As they head into another season under new head coach JJ Redick, the hope is that stability and smart decision-making can finally unlock the sustained success that fans have been yearning for.
The potential for greatness remains, but it will require a concerted effort from the entire organization to capitalize on the unique talents of their superstar duo. If they can stay healthy and make the right moves, there’s still a chance for the Lakers to add more championships to their storied legacy.
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