The Los Angeles Lakers have made several critical mistakes in the 2024 offseason, which may impact their chances of becoming a legitimate title contender. Here are five key errors:
1. Failing to aggressively pursue Donovan Mitchell: The Lakers missed an opportunity to sign Mitchell, who could have significantly bolstered their backcourt and alleviated the scoring burden on LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
2. Not acquiring Trae Young: The Lakers failed to secure Young, an elite point guard who could have provided exceptional playmaking abilities and scoring talent, complementing their offensive scheme.
3. Not trading for Myles Turner: The Lakers’ decision to refrain from trading for Turner, a premier shot-blocker and defensive anchor, may haunt them, as his defensive presence and three-point shooting could have significantly improved their interior defense and spacing.
4. Losing out on DeMar DeRozan: The Lakers failed to secure DeRozan, who could have provided invaluable mid-range scoring and alleviated offensive pressure on James and Davis.
5. Delaying the signing of Jonas Valanciunas: The Lakers’ delay in signing Valanciunas, a seasoned center, may result in missing out on a reliable big man who could have anchored their defense and provided consistent interior scoring.
These mistakes may prove costly for the Lakers as they navigate the 2024-25 season, particularly if their current roster fails to meet championship expectations.
