Is it Too Late for the Losing Lakers?
The Lakers have lost their third straight game and are 2–8 in their last ten. They just lost to the Timberwolves 124–104 after getting waxed by the Suns and Raptors, the latter of whom they play again tomorrow.
With the LakeShow having lost their last 11 road games and now in danger of missing the play-in tournament, it is clear that things need to change. Though it may be too late to think of substantial changes now, it’s never too early to start thinking of some for the offseason.
I was listening to the an episode of the Laker Film Room podcast, and the co-host, Darius Soriano, brought up a remark that Rob Pelinka made last offseason. Pelinka stated three needs the team wanted to address in the summer: a playmaker, shooters, and a lob-threat big man. He believed that he satisfied all three goals based on the moves he and the rest of the front office made.
While this year’s team looked good on paper and appeared to check the boxes Pelinka laid out, their on-court appearance was an entirely different story. Fans who expected a deep playoff run and even a “championship or bust”-season have grown despondent, with the team looking less like title contenders and more like mediocre, old G-Leaguers.
So, with the goals of this year’s Laker team falling undeniably flat and their championship window in the LeBron era closing faster by the minute, what can the Lakers do in the next 13 games and the offseason to remedy their mistakes and get back to winning basketball?
Part One: Russell Westbrook
For starters, Russell Westbrook could be on his way out. In 34 minutes per game, he is averaging nearly 18 PPG, 7.4 RPG and 7 APG on abysmal 43–27–67 splits. He’s had spurts where he meshed well with LeBron (and AD when he’s healthy), but in other times, Russ has shown that he hasn’t fit on this year’s team. He was supposed to be the Lakers’ primary playmaker next to LeBron and AD, but unfortunately, whether it’s because of off-court issues or Vogel using him at an unnatural position, that experiment has failed (spectacularly).
Speaking of off-the-court issues, I do not condone the fans who are threatening Westbrook and his family. It’s incredibly unfortunate that he and his wife have to deal with that serious matter, and it’s equally unfortunate that fans would stoop that low to threaten an NBA player simply because he’s not playing at the level they expect him to play at.
Getting back on track with Westbrook’s on-court play, many, including my friend Noel Pennington on my most recent podcast episode, have advocated for Westbrook to come off the bench, and I’m beginning to think that it’s a good idea. In a season filled with experiments, #WHYNOT try that for these last 13 games? Westbrook and LeBron have a -1.8 Net Rating (109.4 offensively and 111.2 defensively), and Vogel essentially has two point guards on the floor when they’re together. Bringing Russ off the bench would give him a better opportunity to control the offense and play his natural game. It would also benefit the Lakers, who seem to play better when he’s on the sidelines anyway.
In the offseason, the Westbrook-Lakers pairing could go one of several ways: Russ opts in to that egregious $47M Player Option, opts out of it and enters free agency, gets traded in a “win now” move, or (by some miracle) signs with LA on a smaller, team-friendly deal. Whatever the option, it’s becoming clearer that Westbrook’s days in LA are numbered, and unless the relationship is mended and they find a way to stick together, the Westbrook experiment could be one that really did blow up in LA’s faces.
Part Two: The Role Players
Secondly, the LakeShow needs to get younger legs on the roster, especially since their veterans are showing their age in both experience and decision-making. While many thought the influx of old heads would be beneficial for the Lakers, it’s proven to do more harm than good. Guys that were expected to play significant roles have been sitting on the sidelines, while the ones who were supposed to be in for short spurts wound up starting most of the games (cough cough Avery Bradley and former Laker DeAndre Jordan).
Pelinka should use the remaining games to find some diamonds in the rough. From their own G-League team to unsigned free agents, there are plenty of athletic hoopers aged 25 and under that can bring a much-needed boost to this retirement home of a roster. There are also gems currently on the team that deserve more consistent minutes, such as 24-year-old forward Wenyen Gabriel, who had 10 points, two rebounds and a steal in 15 minutes of action last night. Gabriel has averaged 2.3 PPG and the same amount of RPG in 7.7 minutes per game, but Vogel has begun to use him more with the season winding down. It’s players like him and the newest starter, undrafted rookie Austin Reaves, who deserve to be evaluated by the Lakers, but it’s up to Rob to make the call.
By evaluating the youngsters for the rest of the season, it could also make decisions easier come free agency. It’s clear that the Lakers need a mix of youth and veterans on the roster, not one way or the other, and solidifying the spots of several young players is another step they can take on their return to success.
Part Three: Frank Vogel
Finally, Frank Vogel could be on his way out of La La Land, and it’s easy to see why. From horrid lineups to horrendous decision-making, Vogel has become a scapegoat for Lakers fans. In the midst of continued embarrassments at home and on the road, Vogel’s “glass-half-full” attitude isn’t helping either. He can say “we need to do better” all he wants, but he needs to look in the mirror first and realize that change starts with him.
However, it’s equally important to realize this isn’t all his fault. He’s simply had to play with the cards he was dealt, coaching a team that was more offensive-minded than defensive-minded. Some fans can defend him all they want, but it does not change the fact that, based on the recent rumors and the embarrassing blowouts, Vogel could be gone.
It doesn’t make sense to give him the axe right away, as there are hardly any good replacements for him, both from his staff and around the NBA. It’s also too late to interview candidates that could be suitable replacements. All this to say that if the ship is sinking this year, Vogel is going down with it. But as soon as the season ends, the Lakers should part ways with Vogel. He had a good run here and helped us win another championship, but unfortunately, it’s time to shift gears.
All in all, the Lakers should confront the reality that LeBron won’t be around for much longer, so it’s imperative that they capitalize on his remaining years while they still have time. These suggestions are ones that can be implemented in the short- and long-term, and may be critical to achieving postseason success in the near future.
*For more NBA takes and articles, follow me here on Medium or on Twitter @JPagkalina1. Also, check out The Boundless & Ballin’ Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
