The Lakers organization has been a hot mess for most of this season. Now a new report from ESPN is letting us in on a lot of the details. From last summer’s weird free agent additions to the botched Anthony Davis trade negotiations, to Magic Johnson’s resignation and the disastrous head coaching search, it has
Los Angeles Lakers
The 2019 NBA Draft is rapidly approaching. It is now a mere 19 days away and, as is often the case, a lot is left to be sorted out in the final three weeks. While all teams must make a final decision on each of their picks in the draft, there are a few decisions
The Los Angeles Lakers are a picture of dysfunction right now, but Magic Johnson has changed his stories to serve himself. Out of the blue on April 9, Magic Johnson had an impromptu media session and stepped down from his role as Los Angeles Lakers’ president of basketball operations. It took him over a month
In his latest interview, former Lakers President of Basketball Operations, Magic Johnson spilled all the details on why he left the organization. When Magic Johnson first became the President of Basketball Operations for the Lakers in 2017, it seemed like the Lakers were bound to win multiple championships. With the ideas of bringing LeBron James
Now that the offseason has officially hit for most players in the NBA, players such as LeBron James are in full recruiting mode. With all the controversy surrounding Magic Johnson’s fallout with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James continues to be focused on making sure he is able to bring superstars to his team. Although
Legend has it, LeBron James has spent most of his G.O.A.T.-worthy career toeing the line between player and backroom controller. “Smiling faces with hidden agendas” and whatnot. Despite rumors, history and common sense asserting that LeBron has substantial influence on his teams, he has been reluctant to outwardly wield it. Now, with his Los Angeles
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 21: Head coach Tyronn Lue of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 21, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and
The Los Angeles Lakers had a bit of a surprise last night at the NBA Draft Lottery as they jumped up from their projected No. 11 slot to No. 4. It’s still unclear what they’ll eventually end up doing with the pick as talk has ranged from keeping it and making the selection, to using
After months of speculation, the Lakers finally ended their prolonged search for their next head coach. At the start of the next season, Frank Vogel will be running things for the Lakeshow, and Jason Kidd will be his right hand man. The consensus reaction to these hires haven’t been universally despised or revered. The public
32 college football players destined to be future first round NFL Draft picks by Jordan Alexis Kyrie Irving totally quit on the Celtics, the Lakers are a laughingstock, a guy catfished everyone into thinking he was a first round NFL Draft pick. Kyrie Irving had a bad case of senioritis Kyrie Irving knew his time
The Bucks beat the Celtics in convincing fashion in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Even after an alarming Game 1 blowout loss at home, Milwaukee asserted itself as the superior team. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s MVP play as well as Mike Budenholzer’s top-notch game planning gave the Bucks the edge they needed to avenge their postseason defeat against
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 20: Frank Vogel of the Orlando Magic reacts in frustration in the Magic’s 121-126 loss against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Barclays Center on October 20, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or
Following a disappointing finish in LeBron James’ first year with the team and a legend leaving the front office, here are five things the Los Angeles Lakers can do to turn things around. I think it’s safe to say that 37-45 isn’t exactly what the Los Angeles Lakers had in mind when they signed LeBron
With the NBA’s post-season in full swing and historic playoff games being played almost nightly, there are some storylines to watch as the race to a championship unfolds. Here are a few things to watch, especially if some of the ongoing series don’t play out as some had hoped when the season started some seven
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on February 10, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Lakers 143-120. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Head coach Tyronn Lue (L) of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers after a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Magic Johnson’s sudden resignation as Lakers team president took a lot of people by surprise, now including LeBron James. With a clear eye on pursuits outside of basketball as his career winds down, LeBron James coming to the Los Angeles Lakers can’t really be credited to the salesmanship or megawatt smile of Magic Johnson. But
As the Los Angeles Lakers look for a new head coach, their apparent desire to keep Kurt Rambis in a prominent role stands to put a handcuff on the search. Leaving aside the hints of behind the scenes issues, Magic Johnson’s sudden resignation as team president gave the Los Angeles Lakers an opportunity to extend
Meeting with Tyronn Lue was inevitable, but the Los Angeles Lakers seem ready to take their coaching search to a different level now. The worst-kept secret in the NBA was the Los Angeles Lakers letting coach Luke Walton go, even if it was framed publicly as a mutual parting of ways. Tyronn Lue immediately surfaced as
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 05: Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on April 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User
When LeBron James missed out on the postseason for the first time in 14 years, he left a massively large hole in the proceedings. After all, James had dragged his squad to the NBA Finals in eight consecutive seasons, dating back to his inaugural season alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh down in Miami. Without
The Los Angeles Lakers have parted ways with head coach Luke Walton after 3 seasons, according to the team. Former Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue may be next. The winds of change are at gale force in L.A., as the Los Angeles Lakers have “mutually agreed to part ways” with head coach Luke Walton after three
The resignation of Magic Johnson puts LeBron James on an even greater pedestal than before. Can he be the man to save the entire Lakers organization? While Los Angeles Lakers fans should privately be happy that Magic Johnson has stepped away from a job he had little time to actually do, Magic’s sudden and unexpected
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 17: Magic Johnson reacts after being introduced at halftime during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is
Moving right along in Basketball Insiders’ yearly lottery-bound recaps, your talented and perennially disappointing Minnesota Timberwolves are up next. Our ‘Fixing Series’ aims to diagnose team-wide issues and offer future plans of attack heading into the offseason. And for what the Timberwolves lacked in the realm of consistent basketball, they made up for it in
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 23: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the New Orleans Pelicans on February 23, 2019 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the
Tattoos are being covered up, shoes are being dumped down garbage chutes and $1.5 million is reportedly missing. What in the world is happening with Lonzo Ball and Big Baller Brand? As the Lakers season has slowly eroded, Lonzo Ball hasn’t been on the court. He hasn’t played Jan. 19 and it was announced on
Basketball Insiders continues it’s “Fixing” series for teams who have been eliminated from playoff contention. Today’s team: the Phoenix Suns. The Suns shifted into a full rebuild in 2015. Four years later, the roster makeup has changed, but their state remains the same. In what may have been the tightest playoff race we may have
If you’ve been a diehard NBA fan for years, you’ll probably remember the 2016-17 Los Angeles Lakers. No, their record wasn’t the greatest and, no, they didn’t make the playoffs in the competitive, crowded Western Conference. Instead, this team had its fair share of inside jokes, including one that gradually grew into a viral sensation.
As franchises have been eliminated from postseason contention, Basketball Insiders started to diagnose their ailments and offer future plans of attack. Unfortunately, it may take a whole lot more than that to fix the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans, who now find themselves in a unique circle of basketball misfortune, had a frustratingly inconsistent campaign