2012-2013 Finish: 40-42

Season Highlight

Heading into week 20 and locked into a tight battle with the Spurs for the eighth and final playoff spot in the western conference, the Lakers needed to finish the season strongly.

And finish strongly they did, led by Isaiah Thomas, Wilson Chandler and Richard Hamilton, the Lakers managed  wins over the Thunder, Grizzlies and Hornets in the final week, propelling them one game clear of San Antonio and into that final playoff spot.

Season Lowlight

Matched up against the number one seeded Sacramento Kings, the Lakers never fired a shot, getting swept four games to none. The Lakers starters battled well against their more fancied opponents; however they received very little help from their bench, which allowed the Kings to run away with each of the four games. I’m sure the Lakers will be looking to improve that area of their roster heading into next season.

Best Trade

The LA Lakers send Glen Davis and Alonzo Gee to the Utah Jazz. The Utah Jazz send Richard Hamilton and Wilson Chandler to the LA Lakers. 
The Utah Jazz send a 2nd-Rounder (NY) to the LA Lakers. 

The Lakers made about ten or so trades this season, but all seemed pretty even for the teams involved, with a lot of sideways deals and like for like trades going on.

Of all of them, this one was probably most in favour of the Lakers.

At the time, Glen Davis and Alonzo Gee weren’t playing to the best of their ability, so bringing in Wilson Chandler, who is probably the best player in the deal on a nice contract and Richard Hamilton, although injured played a major role in the final week of the season to get the Lakers into the playoffs, was a nice move for LA. It also worked out pretty well for Utah as well, with Alonzo Gee really hitting his straps in Salt Lake City.

Worst Trade

The LA Lakers send Kevin Garnett and Jason Richardson to the Washington Wizards. The Washington Wizards send Carlos Boozer and Steve Novak to the LA Lakers. 
The Washington Wizards send a 1st-Rounder (Tor) to the LA Lakers. 

 

Again it was difficult to split most of the trades, but in terms of how I rate the personal coming and going, I think this was probably the worst trade for the Lakers.

Kevin Garnett is still a real force in the NLL, especially on the defensive end, and I really felt like his attitude was synonymous with the Lakers style of NLL basketball. Jason Richardson is also a very solid athlete and nice wing scorer. In terms of what LA got back, I’ve never been a Carlos Boozer fan and Steve Novak is really a one trick pony that’s probably too slow to defend the opposing wings. The Lakers also got a pick, so hopefully Mason Plumlee can exceed expectations.

 

Other Notable Trades

The LA Clippers send Paul Pierce and Gustavo Ayon to the LA Lakers. The LA Lakers send Kyle Korver and David Lee to the LA Clippers. 
The LA Clippers send a 2nd-Rounder (LAC) to the LA Lakers. 

 

In this deal, LA bring in a savvy veteran scorer in Paul Pierce and a nice defensive big in Gustavo Ayon for David Lee and Kyle Korver. Pierce added some much needed scoring punch for the Lakers and while David Lee was an nba all-star, he was expendable considering LA had KG and Tyler Zeller to man the frontcourt.

 

The Indiana Pacers send Patrick Patterson to the LA Lakers. The LA Lakers send Quincy Pondexter to the Indiana Pacers. 

 

Very much a like for like trade here, it’s hard to tell which team wins at this stage, i guess it will come down to who has the most upside. At the moment I like Pondexter over Patterson, but this could very well change by next seasons end.

Best FA Signing

Randy Foye signs with the LA Lakers under the MLE for 1 year and $ 2,500,000.

The best signing was probably Randy Foye, brought in for the year for the MLE, Foye suited up in all 82 games averaging 9.3 points per game. He definitely helped his team.

Worst FA Signing

James White signs with the LA Lakers for 1 year and the minimum salary of $ 854,389.

 

The flight just wasn’t there for James in the NLL this season, White averaged a measly 1.5 points per game in 20 games for the Lakers before he was traded away for a bag of Chips.

 

Star

Paul Pierce- 25 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists per game.

Pierce was brought in after a mid season trade with the cross town rival Clippers, and he went straight to work, becoming the focal point on offense and a real veteran presence. He helped lead the Lakers into the western conference playoffs.

Surprise

Richard Hamilton 16 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists per game.

After barely playing all season long, Hamilton suited up for the final week of the NLL season. And thrust into a starting role, he surprised many, with a really solid week, helping his team clinch a playoff berth.

Goat

Lakers Point Guards- Jameer Nelson and Isaiah Thomas.

The Lakers struggled at the point guard position all season long, with Nelson and Thomas splitting the starting duties neither could find the hoop with any kind of consistency. For the season they shot 39% and 33% respectively. And the assist to turnover ratios weren’t much better. Not what you need from probably the most important position on the court.

Draft Report Card

After all was said and done, the Lakers ended up with picks 26, 45, 53 and 57 in the draft.

 

At pick 26 they drafted the highly athletic big man, Mason Plumlee, Brother of Miles Pumlee, he is said to have more upside than his older sibling. While not a great rebounder or offensive threat, he will begin the season as a backup and be given time to improve his skills and hopefully improve the bench unit.

 

At pick 45 the Lakers selected Carrick Felix. The 23 year old shooting guard out of Arizona State is a really promising athlete and defender. And while not a strong player on the offensive end, his defensive prowess could see him make this roster.

 

At pick 53, the Wolves got Romero Osby, an undersized power forward with great toughness and a nose for the ball. Rumour has it he is a chance to survive the final roster cut in LA.

 

At pick 57, the Wolves took Alex Oriakhi, a tough rebounder and defender. While he is a little short to be playing center, 6-10, he is a real warrior in the paint and may also get a look in on the Lakers roster.

Looking to the Future

The Lakers enter the off-season with 9 players under contract and about 9 million to throw around. Not a bad position to be in. Their starting five appears to be locked away and settled barring a major free agent signing. The real acid test for LA will be their ability to improve the bench. It is understood that Jameer Nelson will be a sign and trade, so that 9 million will be available to bring back Matt Barnes, sign the rookies and have enough left over for a small splash in the free agent market. If the Lakers can bring back some key members of the bench unit, and bring in some new faces to bolster it, i think another appearance in the playoffs is on the cards.

 

Upcoming Free Agents

Matt Barnes – Didn’t have the greatest of seasons in 2013, but he is a rangy, athletic wing defender who can shoot the ball. I’m sure the Lakers will bring him back.

Jameer Nelson – Rumoured to already be involved in a sign and trade. We will have to wait until this deal becomes official before we see where Jameer is headed.

Garrett Temple – A restricted free agent, the Lakers may bring him back if they think they won’t be able to find much better from free agency and their draft haul.

Lavoy Allen – Also a restricted free agent, the Lakers appear to be interested in bringing him back, although i’m not sure why they would want to.

 

Randy Foye – Foye had a good year and im sure the Lakers would have liked to bring him back, however it appears he has requested a sign and trade.

Richard Hamilton – It is currently unclear whether Hamilton wants to try and go again for another NLL season, he may very well decide that his body just isn’t up to it.

 

Jeff Pendergraph. – Looks likely to test the free agent market, although i’m not sure there will be that many teams clambering to secure his signature.