2008-2009 Finish: 30-52

What went bad

Phooey! Under the new guidance of Wizkid, the Lakers finished 46-36 in 07/08, clinching the 5th seed. Those expecting big things in his second season in Los Angeles were in for a big shock. As the season began, quite a few free agents took off, all too aware of his past wheeling and dealings as the GM of the Phoenix Suns. Corey Maggette, Chris Duhon, Francisco Elson and Quinton Ross all said farewell while lower-tier guys like the aging Sam Cassell, Ryan Hollins and Chris Quinn all stuck around. Most of these guys probably figured Wizkid would trade them, so why not become master of their destiny.

Armed with a fistful of cash, GM Wizkid then tried to woo players to sign with the Lakers. He lured in Mikael Pietrus, Desmond Mason, Tony Allen, Matt Barnes, JR Smith, Flip Murray and Roger Mason. Heck, he even sweet-talked Duhon into coming back. Unfortunately restricted free agents Smith and Allen wouldn't be staying and this new motley cast of Lakers would have to fend for themselves without their services.

Something about the team's chemistry seemed off, so Wizkid traded some guys as the season progressed. Cassell and rookie Sonny Weems went to Clips for picks. Hollins went to the Bulls for the injured Mike Wilks. Then they brought in Jared Jeffries. Maggette laughed and called the returning players suckers. Quinn would be next, included in a big flurry of trades with Washington and Philly that saw Tyson Chandler, Des Mason, Murray, rookie Darrell Arthur and a bunch of picks change hands for Al Thornton, Luol Deng, Jeff Green and Mark Blount. Then Channing Frye went for Tyrus Thomas. Then Travis Outlaw went for Kendrick Perkins and rights to some rookies. You get the picture. Wizkid was back folks.....


What went worse

....and boy did the Lakers suffer for it. They finished worst in the Western Conference. That's right, dead last. You can't blame the team when you have a GM playing small forwards at almost every position. Maybe Wizkid's savvy finally wore off, but this team finished the season loaded with potential yet DOA. (NB: He did score the draft pick that would land Blake Griffin, but more on that later).

Stars

- Jeff Green, F-

Though he spent a lot of the season playing woefully out of position at SG, Green is the closest this team had to a star. Playing for his third team in his sophomore year, Green broke out for 19.6 ppg on 55% shooting. The Lakers still have too many small forwards but Green is versatile and can play both the three and the four.


- Al Thornton, F –
Thornton, like Green, is on his third NLL team in 2 years and, like Green, exploded in his sophomore year. He averaged 16.1 ppg on 50% shooting. Unfortunately, both of these players are very similar, so someday they may not be able to co-exist.


Goat

- Luol Deng, F–

Deng never seemed to live up to his potential. As a Sixer he started but never made the big plays and never really did much but blend in. Then he got hurt and he hasn't been the same since. It doesn't help that he has a ridiculous new contract either. He played in only 41 games last season, though he played okay. But for the money, the Lakers should be getting more out of him.

Looking to the future

Following the draft where the Lakers scored arguably the best player, Wizkid struck again, sending Griffin, Blount and Duhon off to the Pacers for Gilbert Arenas, Hasheem Thabeet and Jordan Hill. Arenas, who has five years left on his deal and $16 million this season, has played in only 17 games in the past two seasons. He eats up most of the cap the team had left.

Though many GMs were high on Thabeet before the draft, his summer league performance has a few of them already calling him a bust. The junior from Connecticut has some serious upside, but when compared to Griffin, he pales in comparison. However, the Lakers may have snagged their center of the future. Hill, a junior from Arizona, has really improved his game but joins the forward build up on the team.

It looks like Wizkid is going to have make some more deals if he wants to contend next season. Thornton, Green, Hill, Deng and Thomas can't all be on the same team. Continuing to put Green at shooting guard is just a bad idea. Roger Mason needs to be utilized in the starting lineup or as 6th man. Someone will need to fill in for Arenas who is not guaranteed to play. This is not a bad team at all. It just needs some pruning. Wizkid should pick his foundation, trade some of the guys for picks and a starting shooting guard. Another good idea is waiving the overpaid Pietrus. He seems to be quite a bust as well. But not to worry, Wizkid is crafty. Let's hope his players don't continue to play as if the Sword of Damocles is hanging over them.