Aaron White was a rare bright spot in yet a dismal season for the Purple and Gold
A season that began with borderline playoff hopes soon turned to so much smoke. In-season trades for Michael Carter-Williams and Nikola Pekovic failed to propel the Los Angeles Lakers to the playoffs, and the team vowed to go forth with a major overhaul, starting with the non-renewal of Isiah Thomas's contract as head coach. Then came a blockbuster trade that stunned the CSL (more on that in another article), with yet more rumors of moves on the way.
The Good
The Lakers boasted one of the most efficient shooting teams, ranking 4th at 47.7%, though much of that was buoyed by Walter Tavares's otherworldly 58.1% shooting. The team also shot a third-best 78.7% from the free throw line, and gave up the fewest blocks a game with 4.5.
The Bad
It would be easy and lazy to say everything else, but a league-worst scoring defense (113.9) and 2nd worst assists surrendered (29) are more accurate. Let's not forget a shocking for Jestorball 2nd worst in steals given up at 8.2, resulting in 25th turnovers surrendered per game at 15.2. Or how about the pedestrian 12th scoring average despite that accuracy, undone by a 23rd 3 point shooting (35.6%). Or how about league worst opponent shooting % (49.7) and opponent 3 point shooting % (40.3)?
In short, defense and an inability to stretch the floor despite the addition of O.J. Mayo on a bargain basement free agent contract were what doomed the team to a frustrating 27-55 record, yet still the highest of the Jestorball era. That the first major trade further weakened the defense will be a later point of discussion in the piece discussing and analyzing the move, but this is a season review.
Point Guards
TJ McConnell (20) - Rookie Season
9.1 points, 5.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 87.7% drive stop rate, 2.0 TOFC, 1.07 PA/SF, 2.4 A/TO ratio
-5th overall pick was a surprise selection and a reach in the eyes of some observers, but he went on to finish 2nd in GMs Rookie of the Year voting. 46.3/37.2/90.4 shooting averages, with 42.8% from jumper range, second best on the team. Despite a poorer than anticipated PA/SF, due to opponents teeing off 3 pointers, the organization still believes in his defensive potential and his ability to grow more as a passer. Despite his lack of a scoring instinct, managed to produce 23 and 24 point games during the year, with 3 double-doubles. Recently made untouchable, and will be the squad's starting point guard for the foreseeable future. He also showed gradual improvement as the season wore on.
Michael Carter-Williams (23) - 4th Season
Expected to be a defensive upgrade at the SG spot, as well as adding scoring punch . While his scoring did go up, his counting stats went down due to 4 MPG less after arriving from the crosstown rivals. Can become an effective player with more preference work, but the question remains - is he a guy who can be a long-term fixture? Does have the size and skillset to run three different positions, and he'll be an RFA. Several teams have expressed interest in his services, so a sign and trade isn't out of the realm of possibility. But it's just as likely that the Lakers retain him and the new staff works on his form. Split time between all three perimeter positions.
Jimmer Fredette
Non-factor.
Nate Wolters
Non-factor.
Shooting Guards
What will DeMar DeRozan's fate be?
DeMar DeRozan (26) - 8th Season
Took a step back in scoring, thanks to the infusion of MCW, Nikola Pekovic, and O.J. Mayo, but he was still a 20+ PPG scorer, and on an impressive 48.2% shooting. His defense was again mediocre, and always be. The burning questions: 1) Is he best suited to SG or SF? 2) Should the Lakers move away from the Dribble Drive offense, how much will that impact him? He's been the Lakers' feel-good story after making the team hot last year when he arrived, but is he really the player that can carry the team to the playoffs? The Orlando Magic were interested in him before, but the offer didn't all match what the Lakers wanted. The smart money here says that any offers won't be to GM Jestor's liking, and the kid most known for his trash-talk feud with Doug "McBuckets" McDermott will stay on. One school of thought currently percolating around the organization: After the success of James "The Beard" Harden at PF in the Finals, taking the radical step of DeRozan at PF to take advantage of his inside shooting, and offering more flexibility in the offensive system.
O.J. Mayo (28) - 9th Season
Brought in to provide scoring and 3 point shooting, and he did that at 11.8 points and 39.5% from downtown with 32 starts. His defense wasn't the worst in the world from a PA/SF perspective, and his 3.8% TO/TCH was the lowest of any Laker who received significant minutes. There were several teams briefly interested in him during the season, and there's been an offer for his services already this offseason. Arguably one of the best value contracts in the league, with a $2.9 million/year flat-rate contract for the next two seasons. He's finally getting some help in the distance gunning department after the recent trade, too.
Tyreke Evans
He's gone, so who cares?
Small Forward
Andrei Kirlenko
Old and washed up. Gone.
Power Forward
Aaron White (21) - Rookie
The Media Rookie of the Year, he lived up to his billing as a brilliant passer out of the forward slots, and shot a beautiful 45.8% from his jumpers. Did pretty well when he started at SF, and that may be his position next season as a starter should DeRozan shift to PF. PA/SF was a respectable 1.0 despite his defense being trashed. Like McConnell, showed improvements, the biggest jump of which was in his shotblocking. Although officially on the block along with everyone other than McConnell in the wake of the trade, White is so much a Jestorball player that it's a guarantee he likes the Iowa Ginger better than anyone else in the league.
Cliff Alexander (18) - Rookie
White was drafted #11, Alexander #10 as a receivership pick by the Knicks. A player not many teams knew about, he's been consistently tagged with the underrated label. Already a great offensive rebounder as an 18 year old, he got a few starts at center after Walter Tavares was hurt, and was adequate. 0.81 PA/SF ratio was impressive, His shooting also took a dramatic leap upon moving to the Lakers and getting more PT. Should the White/DeRozan SF/PF synergy happen, Alexander then becomes the backup at PF and/or C, while the team waits for him to develop further. Many called him the biggest piece of the Pekovic trade.
Cristiano Felicio (20) - Rookie
Drafted 26th as a project with potential starter upside. Came into the season completely unfit to be on an NBA roster, and by the end of the year, he's developed into not the worst 12th man you could have. Unless he makes dramatic jumps, the Brazilian rookie isn't likely to stay beyond his first contract, but he showed enough in limited minutes that he's earned himself a third year and continued patience to see what he can eventually become.
Center
Walter Tavares (24) - 3rd Season
Lakers Nation has waited for Tava to put it all together for three seasons. But every year, it's been the same story. A massively talented big man who really dominates when he turns it on, but just as often is either fouling out or flaming out. The front office knew if they were ever going to move him, this summer was the time to do so, before the bugbear of RFA hit. And so they pulled the trigger on a trade that shocked the CSL. Worth noting - despite his gargantuan size, rebounding, and defensive ability, the Purple and Gold were still a complete disaster on the defensive end, and his third straight season of failing to reach even 28 MPG sealed his fate.
Nikola Pekovic (30) - 7th Season
His numbers crashed all across the board after arriving from New York, and he clearly looked uncomfortable playing PF next to Tavares. One team initially expressed interest in the scoring center with the fantastic offensive rebounding ability, but then declined to pursue him. That's just fine with the Lakers - he's an a $11.6 million expiring contract who still has game, and can be dealt at any time. Moving back to his natural position of center next season if he's still here should restore him to his former efficiency, and his PA/SF was actually superior to Tavares'.
2028
