The Los Angeles Lakers’ lack of moves so far this free agency has made them a team that’s anticipated to endure a rough storm in the early stages of the 2024-25 NBA season.
According to ESPN’s analysts, the Purple and Gold received 43% of the votes saying they are the team likely to “take a tumble” for multiple reasons, one of them including the hire of JJ Redick as their new head coach.
ESPN pegs the Lakers as table-toppers with 53 points as the side faces turmoil early on in the season. Crosstown rivals LA Clippers take second place with 25 points, while the Memphis Grizzlies take the third spot with 19 points.
Apart from LA not making major moves this summer, they will also have to deal with the fact that LeBron James, their bonafide superstar turns 40 this season.
Anthony Davis’ injury history has been a cause for concern in the past, while the roster construction doesn’t put them on the title contenders list. The lack of a third star adds to another reason why LA tops the list of teams that will struggle.
Redick’s hire comes off as a gamble as well. The former NBA player-turned-analyst will be manning a decorated franchise from the sidelines in his very first coaching assignment. While the front office and players have expressed optimism about the move, the actual results will dictate how their season unfolds.
Ahead of the start of the offseason, the LA Lakers were hot favorites to land some marquee names entering free agency.
They lost center Jonas Valenciunas to the Washington Wizards, Klay Thompson chose the Dallas Mavericks and DeMar DeRozan inked a three-year deal with the Sacramento Kings. The Warriors and Lakers were heavily linked to Lauri Markkanen, who now remains with the Utah Jazz.
Instead, what they do have in their roster are two rookies — Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, both of whom don’t move the needle much if LA intends to go the distance.
The Lakers are expected to run it back with their last season setup of D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves at the backcourt, LeBron James and Jarred Vanderbilt at the front, and Anthony Davis at the five.
They have a potential-filled bench with Rui Hachimura, Max Christie, Jaxson Hayes, Gabe Vincent and Christan Wood. The rookies will see some time on the floor, but barring chemistry and continuity, there’s not a lot about LA that indicates a winning season.
The lack of moves in the offseason will surely be a major factor if the Lakers indeed suffer at the start of the season. The trade deadline provides them with an opportunity to test the market, but chances are they are either better-placed with health and form favoring them or salvage a season with big moves that will better prepare them for next year.
