The Lakers’ franchise has been in a downward spiral since Christmas Day, when LeBron James suffered a groin injury during an upset victory at Golden State that sidelined him for more than a month.
From that point, the most notable developments the remainder of the season were their failed attempt to acquire Anthony Davis, their inability to make the playoffs, and the abrupt resignation of team president Magic Johnson.
It’s only gotten worse in the offseason. The Lakers fired head coach Luke Walton and their search for a replacement gave the franchise another black eye. Then got spurned by Monty Williams and saw negotiations with Tyronn Lue fall apart before settling on Frank Vogel. They also hired Jason Kidd as Vogel’s top assistant, putting Vogel in the awkward spot of having his potential replacement in the next chair.
Then came Johnson’s bridge-burning interview on ESPN in which he labelled GM Rob Pelinka a backstabber and detailed the dysfunction and indecision within the organization. This week, a detailed ESPN story spoke of the fear and confusion among staffers that developed when Johnson and Pelinka took charge and the heavy turnover in personnel.
It also detailed owner Jeanie Buss’ odd and ineffective management structure and the undue influence of James’ agent Rich Paul and others in James’ camp.
The only good thing that’s happened for the Lakers is that they moved up in the draft lottery.
Meanwhile, the franchise heads into a pivotal summer. It’s positioned financially to chase high-profile free agents and/or make a blockbuster trade.
Unquestionably, the Lakers need to acquire at least one superstar talent to pair up with James or else this offseason will be viewed as a complete disaster.
That leads us to our question of the day: Can the Lakers overcome the dysfunction and disarray within the organization and sign or trade for at least one superstar this offseason? Or are they doomed for a disastrous summer?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
If they strike out on trades and free agency Pelinka will be gone so fast. Dude is about to enter the summer for his job
They’ll overpay at least 1 FA and make at least 1 questionable trade. There’s really not a best case scenario.
If they strike out on free agents and AD, I’d do Kuzma, Hart, and the number 4 pick for Beal.
If its reddish at 4 id rather have reddish.
Reddish is meh. Talented but uninspiring? He can get it done at times, but who’s going to prod him into excellence? Any ill received scowls or reprimands could backfire into Cam going into hiding. Too much of a question mark at number four.
Moving up in the lottery perhaps ranks #1 in importance. Johnson being mean and Johnson leaving cancel each other out. They would not beat GSW in the playoffs anyway. Davis was never theirs. Vogel is better than Lue. A lot of owners are imperfect and a lot of teams have players with RPaul managing them. James never considered his first year there crucial and wanted personalities he could never get in Cleveland, so for 2019 that’s out of his system. Ingram’s ailment is not so dangerous for the young & diagnosed.
But that lovely draft slot!
IDK how good Pelinka will be at filling out the roster or in getting Davis from Griffin. Try Redick or Brogdon. Trade Ball for Bledsoe. Heck grab Korver, he can set picks too.
So you think they are going to try and trade for Zion? Move up in the lottery, that’s the guy you’re moving up for. Think it would take less to get Zion than AD? #4, unprotected 2021, Kuzma/Ingram?
I meant moved from the teens to #4 by luck of the draw. Bad choice of words. Now you made me think. I bet Griffin does come up with something crazy with the Davis card.
The only “superstar” I could see them get is Kyrie. But really why would any player sign a max contract with them? A almost 35 year old Lebron and a bunch of young guys that haven’t lived up to their potential sounds really attractive. Not
Not lived up to there potential? They are 21-22 not everyone is lebron james out of the box….by your special logic steph, kobe, giannis, paul george, kawhi leonard are all busts….sheesh the stuff some people write on here….
No.
Winning cures drama every time. So the real question is are they capable of assembling a wining team. …The answer is still no.
Can we all agree LeBron screwed up? If he had gone to the Sixers, they would have traded RoCo, Saric, Fultz, and picks for Kawhi. Could have walked into the finals. Probably would have dragged the Cavs back too.
Was that not the consensus from day 1? As soon as they announced him going there I knew they wouldn’t ever win a championship.
Granted I at least thought they would
make the playoffs…
No because he went to LA for the market and to become a media mogul. We all know it wasn’t about the team on the court
Lakers should trade LeBron for Davis.
Pelinka must go. Trade partners don’t trust/like him.
agreed. cronyism is why he stays
Ingram,Ball, Wagner for Chris Paul. Sign Melo for free. Sign Bosh. Banana Boat Complete.
Draft Reddish/Culver. Sign a few of these guys Danny Green, Seth Curry, Malcolm Brogdon, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Patrick Beverley with the remaining cap space.
The Lakers are what happens when you let some chick who got naked for Playboy in the 90’s run a basketball team. Huge bush. Adam Silver thinks she is doing a great job, and wants more of the like.