NBA · 1 year ago

Back to the Top: 5 Keys for the Lakers to Contend Once Again

Ian Mukundi

Host · Writer

Acquire a True Backup Big
The Lakers won the championship in 2020, and a big part of their formula had two bruising bigs alongside Anthony Davis to help him with rebounding and rim protection in Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee. This season, they signed Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood, but neither was particularly effective, leading to most of Davis's minutes being at center. The Lakers desperately need another big this offseason, particularly with Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, and Domantas Sabonis in the West. Still, they need a big that wouldn't demand significant minutes while taking up a large chunk of their salary. The Lakers usually close with Davis at the five, but this season, it led to the Lakers being out-rebounded and punished on defense, and moving forward, it's a significant problem Rob Pelinka can't neglect any longer.
Back to the Top: 5 Keys for the Lakers to Contend Once Again
The Lakers fought their way out of the play-in tournament to fall again to the Denver Nuggets, this time in the first round. LA will have big decisions this summer as they watched their rivals in Boston surpass them in total championships. JJ Redick was recently named the new head coach, and Rob Pelinka and the Lakers' brass need to ensure that Redick has an incredible roster to work with as a first-time head coach. LeBron James could choose to leave in free agency, but let's assume he stays with the Lakers. Here are five keys to the Lakers getting back to contention next season.
Health is Wealth
Health is essential for a team with an aging LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Like most teams, the Lakers can't get to where they want to go without having their main guys healthy. This season was the first since 2020 that LeBron and Davis played in most of the Lakers' games and were healthy heading into the playoffs. LA will also need their role players healthy to make a big run. They sorely missed the defensive impact of Jarred Vanderbilt this season, as the 25-year-old forward played in only 29 games. LeBron is almost 40, and keeping him fresh for postseason basketball will have to be a priority for the Lakers, but the Western Conference is a bloodbath. The Lakers will have to balance resting their stars and ensuring they win enough games to avoid the play-in tournament, which they've been a part in three of the last four seasons.
Max Christie's Growth
One of my biggest gripes with former Lakers Head Coach Darvin Ham was his rotations, most notably the lack of playing time he gave to second-year guard Max Christie. Christie averaged just 14 minutes per game this season, dropping his playing time to 3.7 minutes per game in the playoffs. Christie is just 21 years old and has shown flashes of being a good rebounder for his position and an above-average defender. Max shot 41.9% from three in his rookie year, but that number dropped to 35.6% this season. If he improves his accuracy and volume, he would be a great piece to the Lakers rotation while still being young enough to blossom into a proper NBA-caliber wing.
Success at the Draft
The Lakers have the 17th pick in the draft and must ensure they utilize that pick to its full potential, with the selection or in a trade to improve their roster. LA has been rumored to be looking to move up in the draft. If I were Rob Pelinka, I would call up the Jazz and see if they'd be interested in swapping picks, 17 for 10, and in exchange, the Lakers would offer up a second-round pick and lift the protections on the 2027 first-round pick they owe the Jazz. Several promising rookies could help the Lakers. If they trade up, G-League Ignite forward Ron Holland would be a tremendous acquisition to the team with his dynamic athleticism and potential to be an elite perimeter defender. Other options the Lakers could look at would be Indiana center Kel'el Ware, Purdue standout Zach Edey, or Colorado Forward Tristan Da Silva. The Lakers need a player who could come in and impact the team right away versus drafting a developmental piece in the first round like they did last year with Jalen Hood-Schifino, who was selected ahead of Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Brandin Podziemski, two standout rookies who contributed to their teams right away.
The Backcourt Issue
The Lakers chose not to trade D'Angelo Russell or Austin Reaves away at the deadline, but their backcourt proved too duplicative in their skillsets to succeed in the long run. Reaves and Russell are more offensive-oriented players, and one should be moved for a defensive guard, preferably one that can still hit open shots. LA has been adamant about not trading Reaves unless it's for an All-Star-level talent, and Russell can opt out and become a free agent, so decisions will have to be made by Rob Pelinka. In an ideal situation for the Lakers, Russell would opt into his contract, and the Lakers could swing a trade with the Hawks for Dejounte Murray, a target they tried to acquire during the deadline. If Atlanta would take Russell, Rui Hachimura, and a first-round pick in exchange for Murray, it would solve the Lakers' backcourt issues. A Murray and Reaves duo provides a more balanced combination of defense and offense. The Lakers can also sign Chris Paul if the Warriors waive him. Paul would have the chance to finally play for the Lakers and be a great backup floor general and high-IQ player.
Acquire a True Backup Big
The Lakers won the championship in 2020, and a big part of their formula had two bruising bigs alongside Anthony Davis to help him with rebounding and rim protection in Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee. This season, they signed Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood, but neither was particularly effective, leading to most of Davis's minutes being at center. The Lakers desperately need another big this offseason, particularly with Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, and Domantas Sabonis in the West. Still, they need a big that wouldn't demand significant minutes while taking up a large chunk of their salary. The Lakers usually close with Davis at the five, but this season, it led to the Lakers being out-rebounded and punished on defense, and moving forward, it's a significant problem Rob Pelinka can't neglect any longer.
Back to the Top: 5 Keys for the Lakers to Contend Once Again
The Lakers fought their way out of the play-in tournament to fall again to the Denver Nuggets, this time in the first round. LA will have big decisions this summer as they watched their rivals in Boston surpass them in total championships. JJ Redick was recently named the new head coach, and Rob Pelinka and the Lakers' brass need to ensure that Redick has an incredible roster to work with as a first-time head coach. LeBron James could choose to leave in free agency, but let's assume he stays with the Lakers. Here are five keys to the Lakers getting back to contention next season.

Back to the Top: 5 Keys for the Lakers to Contend Once Again

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