The Los Angeles Lakers, known for their illustrious history, have recently been labeled as one of the NBA’s biggest disappointments, particularly during the regular season. Many critics attribute this decline to the arrival of superstar LeBron James in Hollywood.
Since James made his way to LA before the 2019-20 season, the Lakers have managed a 254-217 record, which translates to a winning percentage of .539. While this may seem respectable at first glance, it’s actually the 11th-best record in the league during this time span. The team has only reached the 50-win mark once in the past six years and missed out on the playoffs twice. Despite their efforts, the Lakers have only clinched one Pacific division title and finished third or lower in the division five times.
In the last three years, the Lakers have struggled to maintain a winning record, hovering around the .500 mark. Following a disappointing seventh-place finish in the Western Conference with a 47-35 record, the team entered the offseason with high hopes of making significant improvements. LeBron James even reportedly expressed willingness to take a pay cut to help facilitate roster changes. However, their efforts seemed to fall short, as Jovan Buha of The Athletic noted that the Lakers haven’t been able to make impactful moves.
Despite their lackluster offseason, the Lakers did manage to re-sign James and acquire Max Christie. Additionally, they selected Dalton Knecht in the first round and Bronny James in the second round of the draft. With minimal upgrades to the roster, insiders within the league have started to view the Lakers as only a Play-In team, further reflecting the team’s underwhelming status.
One bright spot for the Lakers has been the performance of Dalton Knecht during the Summer League. Knecht has showcased his skills in five games, averaging 17.6 points and 2.2 three-pointers per game with a shooting line of 35.4/34.4/73.1%. He has consistently scored in double figures and surpassed the 20-point mark twice, while also contributing in rebounds, assists, and steals.
As the Lakers aim to bounce back from their recent struggles, it remains to be seen whether they can make a significant trade before the start of the season and turn their fortunes around in the competitive landscape of the NBA.
