Lakers' offseason silence earns spot on NBA coaches, scouts and executives' "worst moves" list: Report
The LA Lakers haven't acquired a new player since the start of free agency. Nevertheless, they still featured in ESPN's recent league insider poll regarding the "worst move of the NBA offseason."
LA was broadly expected to be active this offseason after suffering a 4-1 first-round playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets in late April. With an aging core, headlined by superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, some viewed this summer as the franchise's last chance to go all in on contending for another championship.
However, not only have the Lakers not acquired a third star-caliber player, they haven’t signed or traded for any players since the start of free agency. Their lone offseason additions have been rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James. Meanwhile, they lost two veteran rotation pieces, Spencer Dinwiddie and Taurean Prince.
Some remain optimistic that LA's coaching change, swapping Darvin Ham for first-time coach JJ Redick, will help the team reinvent itself. However, at least one league insider isn't so bullish.
On Monday, ESPN's Tim Bontemps published a survey of 18 NBA coaches, scouts and executives titled "NBA offseason survey: Best, worst and most shocking moves."
In the "worst move of the NBA offseason" section, the Lakers received one vote for their offseason "inactivity." That was one of 10 "moves" to receive at least one vote, with three tying for first place with three votes.
The leading vote-getters were "Chicago's part in the DeMar DeRozan trade," "Sacramento's part in the DeRozan trade" and "Paul George signed by the 76ers."
All three relate to some of the offseason's highest-profile moves. However, if LA fails to bolster its roster before the start of next season, its complacency may prove to be one of the summer's biggest failures.
Lakers tie for fourth in "NBA's worst offseason" poll
In addition to appearing in ESPN's "worst move of the NBA offseason" poll results, LA featured in the "NBA's worst offseason" results. However, it was far off the leading vote-getter.
One coach, scout, or executive ranked the Lakers' offseason as the league's worst, tying them for fourth. The Denver Nuggets led the way, receiving six votes, followed by the Chicago Bulls (five votes) and LA Clippers (four votes).
The Bulls (DeMar DeRozan] and Clippers (Paul George) both lost star players in free agency, making a flurry of smaller moves. Meanwhile, the Nuggets lost key role players Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Reggie Jackson, signing ex-MVP Russell Westbrook and big man Dario Saric.
Nonetheless, all three teams' rosters look noticeably different from last season. Meanwhile, barring a trade over the next couple of months, the Lakers project to enter next season with virtually the same roster.
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