Marvin Bagley III throws his hands up after finishing a distant 2nd to Jayson Tatum
27 wins. Their best total since the Lakers' lone Jestorian playoff entry in 2018. One more than their average victory tally. Yes, the Purple and Gold were greatly improved this season, with Emmanuel Mudiay having nights where he dazzled and on evenings he went cold, the three-headed frontcourt trio of Christian Wood, Marvin Bagley III, and Cheick Diallo would make amends.
But there was also the wretched wing play and a lack of any other point guard after Austin Rivers was shipped to the Washington Wizards for Houston's 1st round pick next season. And the usual lottery curse, as the team slipped from the 5th overall selection to 6th.
The Highlights
Marvin Bagley III - 13.4 points, 7 rebounds, 1.4 blocks - 49.9%, 1.02 PA/SF, 1.4 TOFC
His scoring total belies the white-hot run the rookie went on in the second half, racking up 7 games of 20+ points and 5 double-double games since the February 21st trade deadline. The 19 year old deemed a raw risk in the draft run-up still needs time to adjust to the grueling physical demands of the CSL schedule and work on his defense and discipline (3 fouls/game). But he showed a talent for scoring, boarding, and blocking, and his future is one of the brightest in the league. The superstar potential is writ large - he just needs time to grow into it. There's little question he's the megawatt franchise face, however.
Emmanuel Mudiay - 16.9 points, 5.2 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.7 blocks - 41.3%, 89.6% DSR, 0.93 PA/SF, 1.7 TOFC
Much-maligned in some quarters as overpaid, Mudiay broke the 41% barrier for the second straight season under the tutelage of the coaching staff working on his form. He'll have to continue that work in Indiana, but the team's leading scorer again showcased his ability to take over games at will and played spectacular, yet greatly unappreciated defense. He'll be a massive upgrade for the Pacers at point guard - an unfortunate circumstance given the Lakers own Indiana's first next year.
Christian Wood - 15.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 0.8 steals, 1.4 blocks - 46.6%, 0.91 PA/SF, 1.8 TOFC
Another solid all-around campaign with mediocre efficiency. That's been the story of Wood's career from the Kings to the Grizzlies to the Lakers. He'll suit up for another team next year, as the UNLV grad never wanted to play for the Lakers and resented his trade there.
Mad about not finishing Top 3 in either award category and mad about the coaching staff: Cheick Diallo
Cheick Diallo - 14.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals - 50.6%, 0.91 PA/SF, 2.0 TOFC
Star sixth man who experienced an explosion in brilliance in his third year, finishing third on the team in scoring, second in rebounding, and 1st in steals. And yet, he was comparably unloved by the voters relative to expectations - 4th in Most Improved Player voting, a cruel 6th in 6th Man of the Year voting. He's also been bitterly unhappy with head coach Erik Spoelstra and will probably be seeking a new team this offseason. Which isn't going to stop the Lakers from trying to keep their 2nd round gem, but his departure is a very real possibility given Diallo's mood. Expect to see the front office exploring sign & trade scenarios to both grant him his wish and generate some return.
The Lowlights
Literally everything and everyone else.
Looking Ahead
The widely known trade was finally published, with it having turned into a 3 way along the way. The consensus is that Houston won outright, whilst opinions are more divided on the Pacers. As for the Lakers, there's a muted sense that they either did well or just fairly.
Another trade is coming after renouncements and the arrival of huge amounts of cap space - a cap dump with a minor pick attached. Then of course, there's the #3 selection. Most believe Shaquille Harrison or Michael Porter Jr will be the pick, though some whispers abound this could all be smoke. As for the second round picks, currently the team holds all three, but would not be adverse to trading out for future assets. The front office could also select all three players and use them as cheap bench fodder.
Signed for next year
Marvin Bagley III
Darrun Hilliard (At $1.3 million, his TO is a bargain and will be picked up)
Kaleb Tarcezewski
Jon Leuer
Keifer Sykes
Jonathan Motley
DeMar DeRozan (TO auto picked up due to trade)
Incoming player
#3
#36 (Tentative)
#49 (Tentative)
#53 (Tentative)
Uncertain
JaKarr Sampson (PO)
Cheick Diallo (Angry at coaching staff)
Not Returning
Emmanuel Mudiay
Trevor Lacey
Christian Wood
Dejounte Murray
Abdel Nader (though could be a min-sal returnee like he was this year)
Charles Jackson
So assuming all second round players are signed, the 12 player minimum will be met. If Sampson returns, that's 13. And if the Lakers manage to retain Diallo, that's 14 and their offseason will be done, barring any deals. Front office sources say the Lakers won't be participating in free agency this year, but will continue to horde their cap space. Next offseason will see Leuer, DeRozan, Motley, Sampson (if PO not picked up), Hilliard, and Incoming Player all head out - 5 to 6 players.
Picks next season:
Lakers 1st
Pacers 1st
Rockets 1st
Lakers 2nd
Incoming 2nd
And those 5 players will immediately be replaced by 5 more draft picks incoming. It all adds up to a cap-lean roster until Bagley is ready to sign his max-level RFA contract, and once Keifer Sykes is renounced 2 years from now, there will be zero big money deals on the roster (unless Diallo returns, of course).
Current Projected Lineup
PG ?
SG Hilliard or DeRozan
SF Hilliard or DeRozan
PF Incoming Player
CE Marvin Bagley
Clearly, the Lakers are still in the early stages of the Goldcess, hoarding picks and cap space while they wait to figure out how to build the roster around an improving, already star-tinted Bagley. It'll be a long time before the team is relevant as the Kings and Suns are forever good, and the Warriors will continue to fight for playoff position - and one never knows what the Clippers will do.
"We figure we won't be fighting for playoff contention until Bagley's 5th season - first year of his second contract," said one source. "It's going to be a whole lot of losing for a long, long time."
2028