The Los Angeles Lakers have failed to sign a free agent, and the roster doesn’t look strong enough to be a legitimate title contender ahead of teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, and Oklahoma City Thunder in the West. Looking at their 2024 offseason so far, they have made some major mistakes when building the team around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Not Going All-In For Donovan Mitchell
The Los Angeles Lakers missed a golden opportunity by not going all-in for Donovan Mitchell during the 2024 offseason. Mitchell could have significantly bolstered the Lakers’ backcourt. Last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Mitchell averaged 26.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game and was considered the best shooting guard in the world by most. The Lakers’ current roster lacks a consistent high-volume scorer outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, making Mitchell’s acquisition a potential game-changer.
By not pursuing Mitchell aggressively, the Lakers have potentially missed out on an All-Star guard who could have alleviated the scoring burden on their aging superstars and provided a fresh offensive spark. Mitchell ended up signing a two-year extension with the Cavaliers, and while the Lakers can’t be fully faulted for not preventing that, perhaps not putting together a monster trade package including D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt, and two first-round picks (including the valuable 2030 first-round pick) left them stranded without a third superstar.
No doubt, Mitchell’s youth and athleticism would have been a perfect fit for the Lakers’ transition game. The team’s two best players are 39 and 31, and Mitchell, at 27, would have brought down that average while injecting much-needed energy and speed. The decision not to go all-in for Mitchell may haunt the Lakers as they navigate the 2024-25 season, especially if their current roster fails to meet championship expectations.
Failing To Land Trae Young
Failing to land Trae Young in the 2024 offseason is another significant blunder for the Lakers. Young, an elite point guard, averaged 26.2 points and 10.1 assists per game last season with the Atlanta Hawks, demonstrating his exceptional playmaking abilities and scoring talent. His ability to stretch the floor with his deep shooting range would have complemented the Lakers’ offensive scheme, considering the team ranked 24th in that sense last year.
The Lakers’ current point guard rotation lacks a player of Young’s caliber who can both create for others and score efficiently, making the failure to acquire him a glaring oversight. D’Angelo Russell did well last year averaging 18.0 points and 6.3 assists per game, but he isn’t on Young’s level as a scorer and passer. The Hawks drafted Alexandre Sarr with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft so they could be open to rebuilding, but the Lakers never presented a strong enough package to nab him. No doubt, Young’s dynamic playmaking could have alleviated the offensive load on LeBron James, allowing the veteran superstar to focus more on conserving energy and playing off the ball.
The Lakers’ decision not to secure Young could prove costly as they look to build a sustainable contender around their aging core. This missed opportunity may be a key factor if the team struggles to maintain offensive consistency and depth throughout the grueling NBA season.
Not Biting The Bullet For Myles Turner
The Lakers’ decision to refrain from biting the bullet for Myles Turner in the 2024 offseason is a notable mistake even if the Indiana Pacers wanted to keep him. The Lakers have been linked to Turner over the past few seasons and have never gotten the deal done yet again.
Turner, a premier shot-blocker and defensive anchor, averaged 1.9 blocks per game last season with the Indiana Pacers, ranking among the league leaders in this category. His defensive presence in the paint would have significantly bolstered the Lakers’ interior defense, which has been inconsistent due to Anthony Davis’s injury history.
Additionally, Turner’s ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting (35.8% from beyond the arc) would have provided valuable spacing for LeBron James and Anthony Davis to operate more freely. The big man’s addition would have also allowed the Lakers to deploy a more versatile and dynamic frontcourt. Pairing him with Davis could have created one of the most formidable defensive tandems in the league, capable of switching and protecting the rim effectively.
The Lakers’ reluctance to trade for Turner may stem from their unwillingness to part with certain assets (Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, 2030 First-Round Pick), but this conservative approach could backfire. The Pacers re-signed Pascal Siakam to pair with Tyrese Haliburton so perhaps moving Turner could open up the court a little but for them, but we will never know what the Lakers could have done to get this particular deal over the line.
Not Beating Sacramento In The DeRozan Sweepstakes
Losing out on DeMar DeRozan to the Sacramento Kings was a notable blunder for the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. DeRozan, who posted impressive averages of 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game with the Chicago Bulls last season, would have been an invaluable addition to the Lakers’ lineup. His proficiency in mid-range scoring and ability to create his own shot would have alleviated some of the offensive pressure on LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
DeRozan ended up getting traded to the Sacramento Kings to create a new Big Three with De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis instead of forming one with James and Davis. In terms of on-paper talent, the Kings might rank higher than the Lakers and this is yet another example of the Purple and Gold not getting a deal over the line when they needed to.
DeRozan’s veteran presence and experience in clutch situations could have bolstered the Lakers’ chances in tight games. By not securing DeRozan, the Lakers have missed out on a key opportunity to enhance their scoring options and push them as a title contender in the Western Conference.
Waiting To Sign Jonas Valanciunas In Free Agency
Delaying the signing of Jonas Valanciunas in free agency was another significant misstep by the Lakers. Valanciunas, a seasoned center who averaged 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game with the New Orleans Pelicans last season, could have provided the Lakers with much-needed stability and strength in the paint.
His rebounding prowess and efficient scoring around the rim would have been a perfect complement to the Lakers’ frontcourt, particularly given Anthony Davis’s injury history. By waiting too long to make a move for Valanciunas, the Lakers risked losing out on a reliable big man who could have anchored their defense and provided consistent interior scoring. The Lakers could still sign Valacniunas but so far, the big man signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Washington Wizards and seems to be staying put.
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