Subtraction as the Key to the Lakers’ Offseason Success
The Los Angeles Lakers have been relatively quiet in free agency, but their real advantage may come from subtracting rather than adding as they aim to bounce back from a challenging 2023-24 season.
The Lakers are betting on their current core to deliver a second championship since 2020. It’s a risky move, given that the team won 47 games last season but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
While adding new talent could boost their championship hopes, Lakers’ GM Rob Pelinka seems to believe that shedding certain elements from the team could be their biggest strength.
In early May, the Lakers decided to part ways with head coach Darvin Ham after two seasons. During his tenure, the team reached the 2023 Western Conference Finals, won the first-ever NBA Cup, and was knocked out in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
Ham’s abilities as a coach were rarely questioned, but it appeared that the partnership had run its course, a sentiment shared by many.
Despite some promising outcomes—like making the Conference Finals and winning an in-season tournament—the Lakers’ flaws went beyond just facing tough opponents like Nikola Jokic. The solution seemed to lie in subtracting at the coaching position.
Darvin Ham’s Impact
Under Ham’s leadership, the Lakers struggled with their style of play. During the 2023-24 season, they attempted the third-fewest three-pointers in the NBA, averaging just 11.8 successful threes per game, the sixth-fewest in the league.
This low three-point shooting volume wasn’t due to a lack of capable shooters, as the Lakers were actually eighth in the league in three-point percentage.
Despite having a roster that could shoot threes at a near-elite level, Ham’s offensive system discouraged this approach. This resulted in the Lakers finishing 15th in offensive rating, right in the middle of the pack, despite having All-NBA stars Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
A more aggressive embrace of their strengths might have elevated the Lakers’ offense to the next level, but they overlooked their top-10 shooting efficiency.
It’s no surprise that new head coach JJ Redick has emphasized that the Lakers will take more threes in the upcoming season. This change in philosophy was crucial, especially if Ham was unwilling to adapt.
Ham also made controversial decisions, such as benching D’Angelo Russell without offering any guidance on how to reclaim his starting spot. This issue reappeared in the 2023-24 season when both Russell and Austin Reaves were benched, causing tension in the locker room.
While not everything can be blamed on one person, removing a coach who had lost the locker room could be the biggest positive change of all.
Dealing with Injuries
The Lakers extended Jarred Vanderbilt and signed Gabe Vincent primarily for their defensive prowess. Vanderbilt showed potential as a versatile defender in the 2022-23 season, and Vincent was known for his high-level perimeter defense with the Miami Heat.
However, injuries limited their impact, with Vanderbilt and Vincent playing a combined 40 games in the 2023-24 season. Even a slight increase in their availability could make a significant difference for the team in 2024-25.
It’s easy to overlook injuries when key players like Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell all played at least 68 games. However, losing two of their best defenders in Vanderbilt and Vincent made a notable impact.
With both expected to return, the Lakers have a chance to improve their depth and defense. Given that the 2023-24 team ranked 17th in defensive rating, there’s reason to be optimistic about their potential.
Unlocking Potential
Another key aspect of Redick’s approach will be to give more opportunities to young players who haven’t yet reached their full potential, like Max Christie.
Christie, who re-signed this summer on a four-year, $32 million deal, will have the chance to prove himself as a 3-and-D specialist in the rotation.
Providing more minutes to emerging players will be a significant change in the Lakers’ rotation this season. Christie and Jalen Hood-Schifino, who averaged a combined 19.3 minutes per game in 2023-24, have been publicly identified as part of the team’s young core.
With a healthier roster, a commitment to playing to their strengths, and a willingness to develop young talent, this Lakers team will be anything but the same.
Subtraction has given the Lakers their most realistic and cost-effective path to improvement.
Lakers Offseason Takes Another Hit with Latest Injury Update
The Los Angeles Lakers have received more unfortunate news, this time from the Paris Olympics.
Lakers fans are already disheartened by the team’s lack of activity this offseason. Despite efforts by the front office to enhance the roster for the upcoming season, the Lakers have yet to make any significant additions, leading to concerns that they may bring back the same squad for another year, which could hurt their chances of contending.
The already disappointing summer for the Lakers worsened with the latest update from the Paris Olympics. Starting forward Rui Hachimura has withdrawn from Japan’s national team due to a left calf injury. After Japan’s loss to France on Tuesday, Hachimura underwent an MRI that confirmed an injury to his gastrocnemius muscle, according to ESPN.
“My injury required early treatment, so I was unfortunately unable to stay with the team as per NBA/FIBA rules. I want to thank all the fans who supported me at the venue, basketball fans worldwide, and all my fans in Japan,” said Hachimura.
Hachimura missed Japan’s final game against Brazil on Friday, which they lost 102-84, resulting in their elimination from the Olympics.
The specifics of Hachimura’s injury and the recovery timeline were not provided.
The 6’8 forward played 68 games for the Lakers last season, starting 39 of them. He averaged 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, shooting 53.7% from the field and 42.2% from three-point range.
The Lakers are set to reconvene in September for training camp, with three preseason games scheduled for October. The 2024-25 season begins on October 22nd.
With more than two and a half months until the start of the season, it’s likely that Hachimura will be back in shape and ready to play. However, even if the 26-year-old forward returns quickly, it’s clear that the Lakers are enduring a frustrating offseason.
