Los Angeles Lakers

2023-24 Finish: 49-33

Season Highlight:

The Los Angeles Lakers finished dead last in the association in the 2022-23 season. Fast forward 12 months and they made some astounding progress, not only via their win totals but equally the talent the team brought in and how far they advanced into the playoffs. A team that finished with 16 wins only one year prior finished with 69 wins in 2023-24, a whopping 53 win differential. Not only did they climb from the bottom of the ladder to the top, they also moved through their playoff brackets with ease - knocking off three fierce opponents in the Oklahoma City Thunder, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Minnesota Timberwolves. No one wished to face any of these teams and LA stood tall through it all. 

To pinpoint a season highlight for this juggernaut team seems too difficult, however I cannot move past the fact that a team that was bottom of the ladder one season removed made it all the way to the finals to face the intimidating force that was Milwaukee 

Season Lowlight:

Just as it was so hard to point out a season highlight for this Lakers squad, it is equally as challenging to choose a low point. Ironically it almost feels the same answer as the season highlight, falling just shy of that NSL Championship. As much as we can praise the job that had been achieved by the Lakers GM and organisation, to fall short of the Cinderella fairy tale finish championship gold must have felt like a kick in the balls for Justin. 

For a more pragmatic approach to the season lowlight, being such a dismal performer in the 2022-23 season provided little to no support from incoming FA during the following year. Instead of entering the season filled with a team of incoming recruits, the Lakers had to make something out of nothing and trade their entire roster to form the calvary. 

Best Trade:

The Lakers were active during the season, very active. They accumulated 14 trades throughout the year, a number that seems unmatched around the league. Of these 14 trades, a couple stood out - however the real genius behind this was being able to work the phones so hard they Justin turned all these assets into real tangible reward. 

One of the best trades that came through the Lakers doors was acquiring Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Caleb Houstan and Jarace Walker and sending out Marcus Morris Sr, David Bertans, Monte Morris, Talen Horton-Tucker, Precious Achiuwa, Jalen Green, Ausar Thompson, Brice Sensabaugh, Sidy Cissoko, First Rounder (NO 23) for 2024 and Second Rounder (LAL) for 2028.

In my opinion, the biggest leap is trying to get superstar potential with youthful, unproven assets - which is exactly what has happened here. There may have been some bigger trades involving Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, however they would not have been possible without the catalyst trade of the initial assets. 

Worst Trade:

It is hard to point out a bad trade that Justin made last year, ironically all of his 14 seems to work out for him which is not always the case. If I had to be really picky about a trade I would have to say the following did not really tickle my fancy. 

The Lakers gave up Immanuel Quickley for Santi Aldama, Andrew Nembhard, First rounder (ATL 2025), Second rounder (PHO 2025 + BOS 2026). Its not a bad trade getting a bunch of assets back for Quickley, however none of those assets of players project to be the player that Quickley has shown glimpses of. Especially now that he has the keys in Toronto to strut his stuff, his ceiling seems mighty high.

Other Notable Trades:

I could not move on without mentioning the annual Andre Drummond sweepstakes. Another trade to secure the services of one of 2K’s biggest glitch players. The value seems steep in two first rounders, but the return on Drummond was huge. I personally despise the glitch players and building teams around this tactic, however at the end of the day the league is about winning. 

Star:

It is clear that the Lakers GM has pledged his allegiance to Cade Cunningham, essentially handing the keys of LA to him. After not quite getting to the top of Mount Rushmore, it seems there are some serious changes on their way in LA, however Cade will be 100% involved in any of said changes. His playing style and ceiling have so much potential, however he is yet to put it all together. 

He is the clear star at his NBA residency in Detroit and with any guesses he might be a superstar in the making come 2 to 3 years from now. 

Flop:

Another difficult question to answer, however, if the Lakers made any mistakes this year it was going all in on Victor Oladipo and his $9,450,000 salary. Fortunately enough for Justin, he was able to move that contract on and do something with it, however the plan to have Victor contribute to the winning ways of LA just didn’t happen. 

Draft Grades:

From what I can tell, the Lakers traded away all their draft picks and ended the season with zero rookies and 15 seasoned veterans. All in the name of competing one would assume. With that in mind, we will say that the picks they had accumulated contributed heavily to their final roster and team position so it was less about the players drafted but the picks that offered the freedom and flexibility. 

The Future:

It is a little unclear right now what LA will look like in a couple of years. GM Justin is always active and on the phone and constantly in limbo of competing or rebuilding around his prized Mr Cunningham. I would not be surprised if the Lakers continue on their quest for greatness or take a U turn and start a second rebuild. One thing is for sure, the assets they accumulated from doing the hard yards has put them in a great position for the future. 

The Lakers are in great hands and look to be a force for the foreseeable future.