2021–22 Los Angeles Lakers season explained

Team:Los Angeles Lakers
End Year:2022
Wins:33
Losses:49
Division:Pacific
Division Place:4
Conf Place:11
Coach:Frank Vogel
Gm:Rob Pelinka
President:Jeanie Buss
Owners:Jerry Buss family trust (majority)[1]
Jeanie Buss (controlling owner)
Philip Anschutz, Edward P. Roski, and Patrick Soon-Shiong (minority)
Arena:Crypto.com Arena
Playoffs:Did not qualify
Bbr Team:LAL
Television:Spectrum SportsNet
Radio:ESPN LA 710 (English)
1020 Radio AM (Spanish)

The 2021–22 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 75th season of the franchise, its 74th season in the National Basketball Association (NBA), its 62nd season in Los Angeles, and its 23rd season playing home games at Crypto.com Arena. The team was coached by Frank Vogel. The Lakers competed as a member of the Western Conference's Pacific Division, finishing the season with a 33–49 record.

The Lakers, who had acquired veteran All-Stars Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony during the offseason, were widely considered by experts as favorites to win the Western Conference. Despite LeBron James' best points per game average since 2005–06, and a number of scoring and age-related records, the Lakers disappointed, with a combination of injuries and underperformances, as well as an aging roster. The Lakers were eliminated from both playoff and play-in contention on April 5, 2022, as their underperformance fell short of securing a direct playoff berth was widely regarded as one of the biggest disappointments in franchise history. Following the conclusion of the season, head coach Frank Vogel was fired.

Previous season

See also: 2020–21 Los Angeles Lakers season. The Lakers concluded the 2020–21 season with a 42–30 record, finishing with the third seed in the Pacific Division and the seventh seed in the Western Conference, which was not enough for a direct playoff spot. In the NBA play-in tournament, they defeated the Golden State Warriors to earn them the seventh seed in the 2021 NBA playoffs.[2] The Lakers lost to the Phoenix Suns in the first round in six games despite being up 2–1,[3] making it the first time that LeBron James lost in the first round of the playoffs.[4] Anthony Davis suffered a strained left groin in Game 4, and he was also sidelined in Game 5, when the Suns took a 3–2 lead. He returned in Game 6 but played only five minutes after reaggravating the injury.[5] [6] The Lakers were eliminated 4–2.[7]

Offseason

In August 2021, the Lakers traded for Russell Westbrook in a trade that also sent two future 2nd round draft picks (2024 and 2028) to the Lakers and Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and the 22nd pick of the 2021 NBA draft to the Washington Wizards.[8] This trade formed a new superteam of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Westbrook in the Western Conference.[9] [10] In 2022, Claire de Lune of The Guardian described the Westbrook trade as a "'disaster'".[11] In 2023, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report named the Lakers' acquisition of Westbrook as the worst trade in the NBA over the past five years.[12]

Draft

See main article: 2021 NBA draft.

Preseason

Game log

|-style="background:#fcc;"| 1| October 3| Brooklyn| | Malik Monk (15)| Kendrick Nunn (7)| Bazemore, Horton-Tucker (3)| Staples Center
16,000| 0–1|-style="background:#fcc;"| 2| October 6| @ Phoenix| | Malik Monk (18)| Anthony Davis (8)| Rajon Rondo (5)| Footprint Center
12,434| 0–2|-style="background:#fcc;"| 3| October 8| @ Golden State| | Dwight Howard (23)| Dwight Howard (12)| Rajon Rondo (6)| Chase Center
18,064| 0–3|-style="background:#fcc;"| 4| October 10| Phoenix| | Anthony Davis (19)| DeAndre Jordan (5)| Anthony Davis (6)| Staples Center
13,844| 0–4|-style="background:#fcc;"| 5| October 12| Golden State| | Anthony Davis (20)| Russell Westbrook (10)| Russell Westbrook (6)| Staples Center
11,526| 0–5|-style="background:#fcc;"| 6| October 14| @ Sacramento| | LeBron James (30)| Anthony Davis (12)| Austin Reaves (7)| Golden 1 Center
Attendance not reported| 0–6

Regular season

The regular season was the 75th season of the franchise, its 74th season in the National Basketball Association (NBA), its 62nd season in Los Angeles, and its 23rd season playing home games at Crypto.com Arena. The team was coached by Frank Vogel in his third and final year as Lakers head coach. They competed as a member of the Western Conference's Pacific Division, finishing the season 11th with a 33–49 record, one game behind the last spot for the NBA play-in tournament.[13] It was the team's worst record since 2016–17, slightly better than the Lakers' worst five seasons.[14]

After the acquisitions of Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony in the offseason,[15] [16] [17] the Lakers were widely considered by experts to be the favorites to win the Western Conference.[18] [19] The team remained stable with a .500 percentage for the last direct playoff access spot until January 7,[20] and remained within play-in contention until March 30.[21] [22] Despite LeBron James' best points per game average since 2005–06,[23] and a number of scoring and age-related records,[24] [25] [26] the Lakers disappointed,[27] with a combination of injuries and underperformances.[28] [29] Following the season, Sam Quinn of CBS News stated that an aged and mismanaged roster was also responsible for the disappointing outcome.[30]

On April 5, the Lakers were eliminated from both playoff and play-in contention for the first time since 2018–19 and the seventh time in nine years after a 121–110 loss to the Phoenix Suns.[31] It was the fourth time in James' career that he missed the NBA playoffs and the second time in his four years with the Lakers.[32] It was also the third time and first since 2015 that Westbrook missed the playoffs when he played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, having previously only missed the playoffs in his debut in 2009. The Lakers' failure to make the play-in/playoffs was widely regarded to be one of the most biggest disappointments in franchise history, if not one of the greatest underachievements in NBA history.[33] [34] James, Davis, Westbrook, and Anthony were selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team,[35] [36] the Lakers being the team with the most active players.[37]

James was the only Laker to make the All-Star cut, with Anthony Davis having a second consecutive injury-laden season.[38] [39] Due to injuries, the Lakers used 41 different starting lineups, and the trio of James, Davis, and Westbrook played only 21 games together, compiling an 11–10 record; the Lakers were just 20–33 when only two of the three were playing together.[40] Due to an ankle injury in March, James fell out of a close three-player race for the NBA scoring title,[41] [42] [43] finishing with only 56 games played, two less than necessary to qualify.[44]

Following the season, head coach Frank Vogel was fired on April 11, 2022.[45] [46] [47] Vogel led the team in 2020 to their first title since 2010 and one first-round exit in 2021,[48] and he finished with an overall 127–98 record with the team.[49]

Standings

Conference

Game log

|-style="background:#fcc;"| 1| October 19| Golden State| | LeBron James (34)| Davis, James (11)| James, Rondo (5)| Staples Center
18,997 | 0–1|-style="background:#fcc;"| 2| October 22| Phoenix | | LeBron James (25)| Anthony Davis (14)| Russell Westbrook (9) | Staples Center
18,997| 0–2|-style="background:#cfc;"| 3| October 24| Memphis| | Carmelo Anthony (28)| Davis, Jordan (8)| Russell Westbrook (13)| Staples Center
18,997| 1–2|-style="background:#cfc;"| 4| October 26| @ San Antonio| | Anthony Davis (35)| Anthony Davis (17)| Russell Westbrook (8)| AT&T Center
18,354| 2–2|-style="background:#fcc;"| 5| October 27| @ Oklahoma City| | Anthony Davis (30)| Russell Westbrook (14)| Russell Westbrook (13)| Paycom Center
15,783| 2–3|-style="background:#cfc;"| 6| October 29| Cleveland| | LeBron James (26)| Anthony Davis (9)| LeBron James (8)| Staples Center
18,997| 3–3|-style="background:#cfc;"| 7| October 31| Houston| | Carmelo Anthony (23)| Anthony Davis (13)| LeBron James (8)| Staples Center
16,448| 4–3|-style="background:#cfc;"| 8| November 2| Houston| | LeBron James (30)| Davis, Westbrook (9)| LeBron James (10)| Staples Center
18,997| 5–3|-style="background:#fcc;"| 9| November 4| Oklahoma City| | Anthony Davis (29)| Anthony Davis (18)| Davis, Westbrook (5)| Staples Center
18,997| 5–4|-style="background:#fcc;"| 10| November 6| @ Portland| | Malik Monk (13)| Jordan, Westbrook (9)| Russell Westbrook (6)| Moda Center
19,393| 5–5|-style="background:#cfc;"| 11| November 8| Charlotte| | Anthony Davis (32)| Davis, Westbrook (14)| Russell Westbrook (12)| Staples Center
18,997| 6–5|-style="background:#cfc;"| 12| November 10| Miami| | Malik Monk (27)| Anthony Davis (13)| Russell Westbrook (14)| Staples Center
18,997| 7–5|-style="background:#fcc;"| 13| November 12| Minnesota| | Anthony Davis (22)| Dwight Howard (10)| Rajon Rondo (8)| Staples Center
18,997| 7–6|-style="background:#cfc;"| 14| November 14| San Antonio| | Anthony Davis (34)| Anthony Davis (15)| Rondo, Westbrook (7)| Staples Center
18,997| 8–6|-style="background:#fcc;"| 15| November 15| Chicago| | Talen Horton-Tucker (28)| Horton-Tucker, Westbrook, Davis, Howard (6)| Russell Westbrook (8)| Staples Center
18,997| 8–7|-style="background:#fcc;"| 16| November 17| @ Milwaukee| | Talen Horton-Tucker (25)| Talen Horton-Tucker (12)| Russell Westbrook (15)| Fiserv Forum
17,341| 8–8|-style="background:#fcc;"| 17| November 19| @ Boston| | Anthony Davis (31)| Davis, James (6)| Russell Westbrook (6)| TD Garden
19,156| 8–9|-style="background:#cfc;"| 18| November 21| @ Detroit| | Anthony Davis (30)| Anthony Davis (10)| Russell Westbrook (10)| Little Caesars Arena
15,532| 9–9|-style="background:#fcc;"| 19| November 23| @ New York| | Russell Westbrook (31)| Russell Westbrook (13)| Russell Westbrook (10)| Madison Square Garden
19,812| 9–10|-style="background:#cfc;"| 20| November 24| @ Indiana| | LeBron James (39)| DeAndre Jordan (11)| LeBron James (6)| Gainbridge Fieldhouse
15,572| 10–10|-style="background:#fcc;"| 21| November 26| Sacramento| | LeBron James (30)| Russell Westbrook (10)| James, Westbrook (10)| Staples Center
18,997| 10–11|-style="background:#cfc;"| 22| November 28| Detroit| | LeBron James (33)| Anthony Davis (10)| James, Westbrook (9)| Staples Center
18,997| 11–11|-style="background:#cfc;"| 23| November 30| @ Sacramento| | Anthony Davis (25)| Dwight Howard (13)| Russell Westbrook (6)| Golden 1 Center
12,459| 12–11|-style="background:#fcc;"| 24| December 3| L.A. Clippers| | Anthony Davis (27)| LeBron James (11)| Russell Westbrook (9)| Staples Center
18,997| 12–12|-style="background:#cfc;"| 25| December 7| Boston| | LeBron James (30)| Anthony Davis (16)| Russell Westbrook (11)| Staples Center
18,997| 13–12|-style="background:#fcc;"| 26| December 9| @ Memphis| | Anthony Davis (22)| LeBron James (10)| LeBron James (11)| FedExForum
16,334| 13–13|-style="background:#cfc;"| 27| December 10| @ Oklahoma City| | LeBron James (33)| Russell Westbrook (9)| Russell Westbrook (7)| Paycom Center
16,523| 14–13|-style="background:#cfc;"| 28| December 12| Orlando| | LeBron James (30)| LeBron James (11)| LeBron James (10)| Staples Center
18,997| 15–13|-style="background:#cfc;"| 29| December 15| @ Dallas| | LeBron James (24)| Anthony Davis (12)| Russell Westbrook (9)| American Airlines Center
20,270| 16–13|-style="background:#fcc;"| 30| December 17| @ Minnesota| | Isaiah Thomas (19)| LeBron James (10)| Rajon Rondo (8)| Target Center
17,136| 16–14|-style="background:#fcc;"| 31| December 19| @ Chicago| | LeBron James (31)| LeBron James (14)| Russell Westbrook (8)| United Center
20,917| 16–15|-style="background:#fcc;"| 32| December 21| Phoenix| | LeBron James (34)| Russell Westbrook (10)| Russell Westbrook (5)| Staples Center
18,997| 16–16|-style="background:#fcc;"| 33| December 23| San Antonio| | LeBron James (36)| Howard, James (9)| LeBron James (6)| Staples Center
18,997| 16–17|-style="background:#fcc;"| 34| December 25| Brooklyn| | LeBron James (39)| Russell Westbrook (12)| Russell Westbrook (11)| Crypto.com Arena
18,997| 16–18|-style="background:#cfc;"| 35| December 28| @ Houston| | LeBron James (32)| Russell Westbrook (12)| LeBron James (11)| Toyota Center
18,104| 17–18|-style="background:#fcc;"| 36| December 29| @ Memphis| | LeBron James (37)| LeBron James (13)| Russell Westbrook (12)| FedExForum
17,794| 17–19|-style="background:#cfc;"| 37| December 31| Portland| | LeBron James (43)| LeBron James (14)| Russell Westbrook (12)| Crypto.com Arena
18,997| 18–19|-style="background:#cfc;"| 38| January 2| Minnesota| | LeBron James (26)| LeBron James (7)| James, Westbrook (5)| Crypto.com Arena
18,343| 19–19|-style="background:#cfc;"| 39| January 4| Sacramento| | LeBron James (31)| Dwight Howard (14)| Talen Horton-Tucker (6)| Crypto.com Arena
17,919| 20–19|-style="background:#cfc;"| 40| January 7| Atlanta| | LeBron James (32)| Russell Westbrook (11)| Russell Westbrook (13)| Crypto.com Arena
18,997| 21–19|-style="background:#fcc;"| 41| January 9| Memphis| | LeBron James (35)| LeBron James (9)| LeBron James (7)| Crypto.com Arena
18,288| 21–20|-style="background:#fcc;"| 42| January 12| @ Sacramento| | LeBron James (34)| Russell Westbrook (12)| James, Westbrook (6)| Golden 1 Center
12,199| 21–21|-style="background:#fcc;"| 43| January 15| @ Denver| | LeBron James (25)| LeBron James (9)| Malik Monk (6)| Ball Arena
19,520| 21–22|-style="background:#cfc;"| 44| January 17| Utah| | LeBron James (25)| Howard, Westbrook (8)| LeBron James (7)| Crypto.com Arena
17,238|22–22|-style="background:#fcc;"| 45| January 19| Indiana| | LeBron James (30)| LeBron James (12)| Talen Horton-Tucker (6)| Crypto.com Arena
17,818| 22–23|-style="background:#cfc;"| 46| January 21| @ Orlando| | LeBron James (29)| Russell Westbrook (11)| Russell Westbrook (7)| Amway Center
18,846| 23–23|-style="background:#fcc;"| 47| January 23| @ Miami| | LeBron James (33)| LeBron James (11)| Russell Westbrook (9)| FTX Arena
19,973| 23–24|-style="background:#cfc;"| 48| January 25| @ Brooklyn| | LeBron James (33)| LeBron James (7)| James, Reaves (6)| Barclays Center
18,126| 24–24|-style="background:#fcc;"| 49| January 27| @ Philadelphia| | Anthony Davis (31)| Anthony Davis (12)| Malik Monk (5)| Wells Fargo Center
20,953| 24–25|-style="background:#fcc;"| 50| January 28| @ Charlotte| | Russell Westbrook (35)| Austin Reaves (8)| Anthony, Westbrook (5)| Spectrum Center
19,469 | 24–26|-style="background:#fcc;"| 51| January 30| @ Atlanta| | Malik Monk (33)| Malik Monk (10)| Russell Westbrook (12)| State Farm Arena
17,391| 24–27|-style="background:#cfc;"| 52| February 2| Portland| | Anthony Davis (30)| Anthony Davis (15)| Russell Westbrook (13)| Crypto.com Arena
17,259| 25–27|-style="background:#fcc;"| 53| February 3| @ L.A. Clippers| | Anthony Davis (30)| Anthony Davis (17)| Malik Monk (7)| Crypto.com Arena
19,068| 25–28|-style="background:#cfc;"| 54| February 5| New York| | James, Monk (29)| Anthony Davis (17)| LeBron James (10)| Crypto.com Arena
18,997 | 26–28|-style="background:#fcc;"| 55| February 8| Milwaukee| | LeBron James (27)| Russell Westbrook (10)| LeBron James (8)| Crypto.com Arena
18,997| 26–29|-style="background:#fcc;"| 56| February 9| @ Portland| | LeBron James (30)| Davis, James (7)| Horton-Tucker, James (7)| Moda Center
19,393| 26–30|-style="background:#fcc;"| 57| February 12| @ Golden State| | LeBron James (26)| LeBron James (15)| LeBron James (8)| Chase Center
18,064 | 26–31|-style="background:#cfc;"| 58| February 16| Utah| | LeBron James (33)| LeBron James (8)| James, Westbrook (6)| Crypto.com Arena
17,787| 27–31|-style="background:#fcc;"| 59| February 25| L.A. Clippers| | LeBron James (21)| Dwight Howard (16)| Malik Monk (6)| Crypto.com Arena
18,997 | 27–32|-style="background:#fcc;"| 60| February 27| New Orleans| | LeBron James (32)| Dwight Howard (11)| LeBron James (3)| Crypto.com Arena
17,536| 27–33|-style="background:#fcc;"| 61| March 1| Dallas| | LeBron James (26)| LeBron James (12)| Russell Westbrook (8)| Crypto.com Arena
17,857 | 27–34|-style="background:#fcc;"| 62| March 3| @ L.A. Clippers| | LeBron James (26)| James, Westbrook (8)| D. J. Augustin (6)| Crypto.com Arena (LAC)
19,068| 27–35|-style="background:#cfc;"| 63| March 5| Golden State| | LeBron James (56)| LeBron James (10)| Malik Monk (5)| Crypto.com Arena
18,997| 28–35|-style="background:#fcc;"| 64| March 7| @ San Antonio| | Talen Horton-Tucker (18)| Russell Westbrook (10)| Russell Westbrook (6)| AT&T Center
18,354 | 28–36|-style="background:#fcc;"| 65| March 9| @ Houston| | Russell Westbrook (30)| LeBron James (14)| LeBron James (12)| Toyota Center
18,055 | 28–37|-style="background:#cfc;"| 66| March 11| Washington| | LeBron James (50)| LeBron James (7)| Russell Westbrook (9)| Crypto.com Arena
18,997| 29–37|-style="background:#fcc;"| 67| March 13| @ Phoenix| | LeBron James (31)| LeBron James (7)| LeBron James (6)| Footprint Center
17,071| 29–38|-style="background:#fcc;"| 68| March 14| Toronto| | LeBron James (30)| Gabriel, James (9)| Talen Horton-Tucker (5)| Crypto.com Arena
18,228| 29–39|-style="background:#fcc;"| 69| March 16| @ Minnesota| | LeBron James (19)| Dwight Howard (6)| Malik Monk (6)| Target Center
17,136| 29–40|-style="background:#cfc;"| 70| March 18| @ Toronto| | LeBron James (36)| Russell Westbrook (10)| Russell Westbrook (10)| Scotiabank Arena
19,800| 30–40|-style="background:#fcc;"| 71| March 19| @ Washington| | LeBron James (38)| James, Westbrook (10)| Russell Westbrook (8)| Capital One Arena
20,476| 30–41|-style="background:#cfc;"| 72| March 21| @ Cleveland| | LeBron James (38)| LeBron James (11)| LeBron James (12)| Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
19,432| 31–41|-style="background:#fcc;"| 73| March 23| Philadelphia| | Howard, Westbrook (24)| Gabriel, Westbrook (9)| Johnson, Westbrook (8)| Crypto.com Arena
18,997| 31–42|-style="background:#fcc;"| 74| March 27| @ New Orleans| | LeBron James (39)| Dwight Howard (10)| Monk, Reaves, Westbrook (6) | Smoothie King Center
18,516 | 31–43|-style="background:#fcc;"| 75| March 29| @ Dallas| | Malik Monk (28)| Russell Westbrook (8)| Russell Westbrook (6)| American Airlines Center
20,382 | 31–44|-style="background:#fcc;"| 76| March 31| @ Utah| | Russell Westbrook (24)| Dwight Howard (12)| Russell Westbrook (7)| Vivint Arena
18,306 | 31–45|-style="background:#fcc;"| 77| April 1| New Orleans| | LeBron James (38)| Anthony Davis (12)| Malik Monk (7)| Crypto.com Arena
18,997| 31–46|-style="background:#fcc;"| 78| April 3| Denver| | Anthony Davis (28)| Russell Westbrook (10)| Anthony Davis (8)| Crypto.com Arena
16,273 | 31–47|-style="background:#fcc;"| 79| April 5| @ Phoenix| | Russell Westbrook (28)| Anthony Davis (13)| Austin Reaves (6)| Footprint Center
17,071 | 31–48|-style="background:#fcc;"| 80| April 7| @ Golden State| | Talen Horton-Tucker (40)| Dwight Howard (12)| Malik Monk (4)| Chase Center
18,064| 31–49|-style="background:#cfc;"| 81| April 8| Oklahoma City| | Stanley Johnson (21)| Horton-Tucker, Howard, Johnson (8)| Horton-Tucker, Monk (5)| Crypto.com Arena
18,997 | 32–49|-style="background:#cfc;"| 82| April 10| @ Denver| | Malik Monk (41)| Austin Reaves (16)| Austin Reaves (10)| Ball Arena
19,520| 33-49

Player stats

Regular season statistics

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
56 56 37.2 .524 .359 .756 8.2 6.2 1.3 1.1 30.3
40 40 35.1 .532 .186 .713 9.9 3.1 1.2 2.3 23.2
78 78 34.3 .444 .298 .667 7.4 7.1 1.0 0.3 18.5
76 37 28.1 .473 .391 .795 3.4 2.9 .8 .4 13.8
69 3 26.0 .441 .375 .830 4.2 1.0 .7 0.8 13.3
60 19 25.2 .416 .269 .800 3.2 2.7 1.0 0.5 10.0
21 1 25.3 .308 .227 .727 2.0 1.5 0.0 0.5 9.3
61 19 23.2 .459 .317.839 3.2 1.8 0.5 0.3 7.3
2 0 8.0 .625 .500 .750 3.0 0.0 1.5 1.0 7.0
4 0 12.8 .467 .250 .800 2.5 1.0 0.1 0.0 6.8
19 5 16.4 .505 .261 .650 4.3 0.6 0.0 0.3 6.7
43 9 18.8 .413 .389 .818 1.8 0.7 0.5 0.7 6.7
48 27 22.8 .466 .314 .716 3.2 1.7 0.9 0.3 6.7
62 45 22.7 .423 .390 .889 2.2 0.8 0.9 0.1 6.4
60 27 16.2 .612 .533 .658 5.9 0.6 0.6 0.6 6.2
1 0 22.0 .400 .333 1.000 3.0 1.0 1.01.0 6.0
21 0 17.8 .452 .426 1.000 1.3 0.1 0.1 0.3 5.3
32 19 12.8 .674 .000 .462 5.4 0.4 0.3 0.8 4.1
24 11 19.3 .333 .270 .556 3.4 1.1 0.5 0.3 4.0
39 14 14.0 .324 .363 .7651.8 0.9 0.6 0.2 3.4
18 0 16.1 .324 .267 .500 2.3 3.7 0.7 0.3 3.1
2 0 7.5 .667 .000 .000 1.3 0.1 0.1 0.3 2.0
3 0 12.3 .286 .000 .000 1.3 0.1 0.1 0.3 1.3
2 0 10.5 .143 .000 .000 1.3 0.1 0.0 0.5 1.0
4 0 5.0 .000 .000 .000 1.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.0
*Total with the Lakers only

Transactions

See main article: article and List of 2021–22 NBA season transactions.

Overview

Players added
Via trade

Via free agency

Players lost
Via free agency

Via trade

Waived

Trades

August 6, 2021[50]
Five-team trade
To Brooklyn Nets
2024 second-round pick (from Washington)
2025 second-round pick swap right (from Washington)
Draft rights to Nikola Milutinov (2015 No. 26) (from San Antonio)		To Indiana Pacers
Draft rights to Isaiah Jackson (No. 22) (from Los Angeles)
To Los Angeles Lakers
Russell Westbrook
2023 CHI second-round pick (from Washington)
2024 second-round pick (from Washington)
2028 WAS second-round pick (from Washington)		To San Antonio Spurs
Chandler Hutchison
2022 second-round pick (from Washington)
To Washington Wizards
Kyle Kuzma
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Montrezl Harrell
Aaron Holiday
Spencer Dinwiddie
Draft rights to Isaiah Todd (No. 31)
Cash considerations
September 10, 2021[51] [52] To Los Angeles Lakers
Draft rights to Wang Zhelin (2016, No. 57)		To Memphis Grizzlies
Marc Gasol
2024 second-round pick
Cash considerations
January 3, 2022[53] Three-team trade
To Cleveland Cavaliers
Rajon Rondo (from Los Angeles)		To Los Angeles Lakers
Draft rights to Louis Labeyrie (2014 No. 57) (from New York)
To New York Knicks
Denzel Valentine (from Cleveland)
Draft rights to Brad Newley (2007 No. 54) (from Los Angeles)
Draft rights to Wang Zhelin (2016 No. 57) (from Los Angeles)

Free agency

Additions

DatePlayerContract termsFormer teamRef.
August 3Joël AyayiTwo-way contractGonzaga[55]
Austin ReavesTwo-way contractOklahoma
August 6Carmelo Anthony1 year, $2.6 million dealPortland Trail Blazers[56]
Trevor Ariza1 year, $2.6 million dealMiami Heat[57]
Kent Bazemore1 year, $2.4 million dealGolden State Warriors[58]
Wayne Ellington1 year, $2.6 million dealDetroit Pistons[59]
Dwight Howard1 year, $2.6 million dealPhiladelphia 76ers[60]
Malik Monk1 year, $1.7 million dealCharlotte Hornets[61]
Kendrick Nunn2 year, $10 million dealMiami Heat[62]
August 10Chaundee BrownExhibit 10 contractMichigan[63]
Mac McClungExhibit 10 contractTexas Tech
August 31Rajon Rondo1 year, $2.6 million contractMemphis Grizzlies[64]
September 9DeAndre Jordan1 year, $2.6 million contractDetroit Pistons[65]
October 18Jay HuffTwo-way contractVirginia[66]
Avery Bradley1 year, $2.6 million contractGolden State Warriors[67]

Subtractions

DatePlayerReason New teamRef.
August 4Andre Drummond1 year, $2.4 million dealPhiladelphia 76ers[68]
August 4Alfonzo McKinnieWaivedChicago Bulls[69]
August 5Ben McLemore1 year, $2.4 million dealPortland Trail Blazers[70]
August 6Markieff Morris1 year, $2.6 million dealMiami Heat[71]
August 10Alex Caruso4 year, $37 million dealChicago Bulls[72]
August 13Dennis Schröder1 year, $5.9 million dealBoston Celtics[73]
September 20Devontae CacokTraining Camp contractBrooklyn Nets[74]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Team Directory. 2020–21 Los Angeles Lakers Media Guide. NBA Properties. December 20, 2020. May 24, 2021.
  2. Web site: Spears. Marc J.. May 20, 2021. 'We don't view ourselves as a seventh seed': Lakers show they have plenty of fight left. TAndscape. April 14, 2022.
  3. News: Cacciola. Scott. June 4, 2021. Lakers Eliminated from Playoffs With Game 6 Loss to Suns. The New York Times. April 14, 2022.
  4. News: Associated Press. June 4, 2021. NBA champions LA Lakers knocked out of playoffs by Phoenix Suns. The Guardian. April 14, 2022.
  5. News: Anthony Davis out for rest of Los Angeles Lakers' Game 6 against Phoenix Suns. ESPN.com. June 3, 2021. April 14, 2022.
  6. News: Medina. Mark. June 3, 2021. Lakers eliminated by upstart Suns in first round of NBA playoffs. USA Today. April 14, 2022.
  7. News: Shelburne. Ramona. June 3, 2021. A Los Angeles Lakers sequel that failed to live up to the original. ESPN.com. April 14, 2022.
  8. Web site: Reports: Lakers agree to Russell Westbrook trade. NBA.com. July 29, 2021. November 27, 2021.
  9. Web site: Quinn. Sam Quinn. October 20, 2021. Three lineup adjustments Lakers can make to help Russell Westbrook after his disastrous debut on opening night. CBS Sports. November 27, 2021.
  10. News: Robinson. Doug. October 20, 2021. Just how good will LeBron's newest super team be?. Deseret News. November 27, 2021.
  11. News: No relationship is worth misery. Russell Westbrook and the Lakers is no different. Claire . de Lune. November 16, 2022. The Guardian.
  12. Web site: The 5 Worst NBA Trades of the Last 5 Years. Andy. Bailey. Bleacher Report. August 15, 2023.
  13. Web site: 2021–22 Los Angeles Lakers. Basketball Reference. Sports Reference. April 10, 2022. April 14, 2022.
  14. News: Tabatabaie. Cameron. March 1, 2022. What were the worst regular seasons in Lakers history?. USA Today. April 14, 2022.
  15. Web site: Crane. Andrew. September 20, 2021. 'I need you': The call that proves who's really running the Lakers. Fox Sports. April 10, 2022.
  16. Web site: Naccion. Chico. Westbrook dismisses criticisms of his play this season: 'I've been fine'. The Score. December 28, 2021. April 10, 2022.
  17. Web site: Garcia IV. Bob. Russell Westbrook Is Working to Silence the Many Critics The Only Way He Knows How. Sportscasting. January 5, 2022. April 10, 2022.
  18. Web site: Mullin. Eric. September 27, 2021. Here are the NBA title favorites for 2021–22. NBC Sports. April 7, 2022.
  19. Web site: Rohrbach. Ben. April 7, 2022. 2021–22 Los Angeles Lakers win title of most disappointing team in NBA history. Yahoo! Sports. April 14, 2022.
  20. News: Beacham. Greg. April 11, 2022. Lakers fire title-winning head coach Frank Vogel after 3 seasons. CBC. April 14, 2022.
  21. Lyons. Dan. March 30, 2022. Lakers Fall to No. 11 in West, Out of Playoffs After Blowout Loss to Mavericks. Sports Illustrated. April 14, 2022.
  22. Web site: Windhorst. Brian. April 1, 2022. LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and the Los Angeles Lakers' tumultuous season, in their own words. ESPN.com. April 10, 2022.
  23. Web site: Daubs. Kyle. January 6, 2022. LeBron James' Points Per Game For Each Season: 19 Seasons Of Consistent Greatness. Fadeway World. April 14, 2022. . Updated February 26, 2022..
  24. News: Goon. Kyle. March 6, 2022. Analysis: LeBron James' understated evolution as a scorer has helped him chase NBA records. The Orange County Register. April 14, 2022.
  25. Web site: Garcia IV. Bob. March 22, 2022. LeBron James on the Verge of Passing Michael Jordan in the NBA Record Books Twice. Sportscasting. April 14, 2022.
  26. News: LeBron James: Lakers need 'roster that can bring more wins'. Reuters. April 11, 2022. April 14, 2022.
  27. News: Turner. Broderick. Woike. Dan. April 8, 2022. The Big Fail: Inside the Lakers' most disappointing season in franchise history. Los Angeles Times. April 14, 2022.
  28. Coleman. Madeline. April 6, 2022. Lakers Eliminated From Playoff Contention With Loss to Suns. Sports Illustrated. April 7, 2022.
  29. News: Marvi. Robert. April 6, 2022. This has been the most disappointing season in Lakers history. USA Today. April 14, 2022.
  30. News: Quinn. Sam. April 11, 2022. Frank Vogel fired: Lakers part ways with head coach after three seasons; GM Rob Pelinka addresses decision. CBS Sports. April 14, 2022.
  31. Web site: Singh. Sanjesh. April 6, 2022. Lakers eliminated from playoff contention following loss to Suns. NBC Sports. April 14, 2022.
  32. Web site: Lakers eliminated from NBA Playoffs after seventh straight loss. The Athletic. April 5, 2022. April 14, 2022.
  33. Web site: Kram. Zach. April 6, 2022. Are the Lakers the Biggest Disappointment in NBA History?. The Ringer. April 10, 2022.
  34. Web site: Marvi. Robert. April 6, 2022. This has been the most disappointing season in Lakers history. lebronwire.usatoday.com. April 10, 2022.
  35. Web site: NBA 75th Anniversary Team announced. NBA.com. October 22, 2021. April 10, 2022.
  36. News: Bob. Ryan. October 23, 2021. A closer look at the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, from one of the 88 voters. The Boston Globe. April 10, 2022.
  37. McGregor. Gilbert. February 20, 2022. Who are the active players on the NBA 75 team? LeBron James headlines elite list. The Sporting News. April 10, 2022.
  38. Web site: Reiter. Bill. April 7, 2022. Why LeBron James deserves full blame for Lakers' failures, and should no longer have say in solution. NBC Sports. April 10, 2022.
  39. News: Ganguli. Tania. April 8, 2022. Not Even LeBron James Could Save the Lakers. The New York Times. April 10, 2022.
  40. News: Dave. McMenamin. April 11, 2022. Anthony Davis still believes in pairing with LeBron James, says they will have conversation on 'what changed'. ESPN.com. April 11, 2022.
  41. Web site: Hodge. Stuart. April 9, 2022. Joel Embiid becomes NBA scoring title favourite over LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo as LeBron's season ends. Sky Sports. April 10, 2022.
  42. McGregor. Gilbert. April 9, 2022. NBA scoring title tracker: LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo entrenched in historic race. The Sporting News. April 10, 2022.
  43. Web site: Martin. Brian. April 10, 2022. Scoring Title Tracker: Historically close 3-player chase narrows. NBA.com. April 10, 2022.
  44. News: Associated Press. April 8, 2022. Lakers' LeBron James to miss final two games with ankle injury, loses out on scoring title. USA Today. April 10, 2022.
  45. Web site: Lakers Part Ways with Frank Vogel. NBA.com. April 11, 2022.
  46. Web site: JohnsoN. Kelli. Frank Vogel out as Lakers head coach after 3 seasons. WTXF-TV. April 14, 2022.
  47. News: Zilgitt. Jeff. April 11, 2022. Frank Vogel out as Lakers' coach: Here's a look at possible replacements in Los Angeles. USA Today. April 14, 2022.
  48. News: Los Angeles Lakers fire head coach Frank Vogel after disappointing season. CNN. April 11, 2022. April 14, 2022.
  49. Selbe. Nick. April 11, 2022. Lakers Officially Part Ways With Frank Vogel After Three Seasons With Team. Sports Illustrated. April 14, 2022.
  50. Web site: Lakers Acquire Russell Westbrook. NBA.com. August 6, 2021. August 6, 2021.
  51. Web site: Lakers Trade Gasol and 2nd Round Pick for Draft Rights to Wang Zhelin. NBA.com. September 10, 2021. September 10, 2021.
  52. Web site: Grizzlies Complete Trade with Lakers. NBA.com. September 10, 2021 . September 10, 2021.
  53. Web site: Withers. Tom. January 3, 2022. Cavs acquire Rajon Rondo from Lakers. NBA.com . January 4, 2022.
  54. Web site: Lakers Re-sign Talen Horton-Tucker. NBA.com. August 6, 2021. August 6, 2021.
  55. Web site: Lakers Sign Joel Ayayi and Austin Reaves to Two-Way Contracts. NBA.com. August 3, 2021. August 4, 2021.
  56. Web site: Lakers Sign Carmelo Anthony. NBA.com. August 6, 2021. August 6, 2021.
  57. Web site: Lakers Sign Trevor Ariza. NBA.com. August 6, 2021. August 6, 2021.
  58. Web site: Lakers Sign Kent Bazemore. NBA.com. August 6, 2021. August 6, 2021.
  59. Web site: Lakers Sign Wayne Ellington. NBA.com. August 6, 2021. August 6, 2021.
  60. Web site: Lakers Sign Dwight Howard. NBA.com. August 6, 2021. August 6, 2021.
  61. Web site: Lakers Sign Malik Monk. NBA.com. August 6, 2021. August 6, 2021.
  62. Web site: Lakers Sign Kendrick Nunn. NBA.com. August 6, 2021. August 6, 2021.
  63. Web site: Lakers Sign Chaundee Brown Jr. and Mac McClung. NBA.com. August 10, 2021. August 11, 2021.
  64. Web site: Lakers Sign Rajon Rondo. NBA.com. August 30, 2021. April 14, 2022.
  65. Web site: Lakers Sign DeAndre Jordan. NBA.com. September 9, 2021. April 14, 2022.
  66. Web site: Lakers Sign Jay Huff to Two-Way Contract. NBA.com. October 18, 2021. April 14, 2022.
  67. Web site: Lakers Awarded Avery Bradley on Waiver Claim. NBA.com. October 18, 2021. April 14, 2022.
  68. Web site: 76ers Sign Two-Time All-Star Andre Drummond. NBA.com. August 4, 2021. August 4, 2021.
  69. Web site: Lakers Waive Alfonzo McKinnie. NBA.com. August 4, 2021. August 4, 2021.
  70. Web site: Trail Blazers sign 8-year veteran guard Ben McLemore. NBA.com. August 5, 2021. August 6, 2021.
  71. Web site: Heat signs Markieff Morris. NBA.com. August 6, 2021. August 6, 2021.
  72. Web site: Bulls sign Alex Caruso. NBA.com. August 10, 2021. August 10, 2021.
  73. Web site: Celtics Sign Dennis Schröder. NBA.com. August 13, 2021. August 13, 2021.
  74. Web site: Brooklyn Nets Sign Devontae Cacok. NBA.com. September 20, 2021. April 14, 2022.

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