2019–20 Los Angeles Lakers season
The 2019–20 Los Angeles Lakers season is the franchise's 72nd season, its 71st season in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and its 60th in Los Angeles. The Lakers are coached by Frank Vogel in his first year as coach of the Lakers.
2019–20 Los Angeles Lakers season | |
---|---|
Division champions | |
Head coach | Frank Vogel |
General manager | Rob Pelinka |
Owners | Jerry Buss family trust (primary owner being Jeanie Buss as of March 27, 2017) |
Arena | Staples Center |
Results | |
Record | 52–19 (.732) |
Place | Division: 1st (Pacific) Conference: 1st (Western) |
Playoff finish | TBD (First Round vs. Trail Blazers) |
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com | |
Local media | |
Television | Spectrum SportsNet |
Radio | ESPN LA 710 (English) 1020 Radio AM (Spanish) |
The Lakers clinched their first playoff berth since the 2012–13 season. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the season was suspended on March 11, 2020.[1] On July 5, the NBA announced a return of the season which would involve 22 teams playing in the NBA Bubble at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.[2] Each of the remaining 22 teams will play eight seeding games to determine positioning for the NBA playoffs.[2] Play resumed on July 30,[3] and on August 3, the Lakers clinched both the Pacific Division title and the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs for the first time since the 2009–10 season.
The Lakers will face off against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs, marking the first meeting between the two teams in the playoffs since 2002.
Offseason
Front office and coaching changes
On April 9, 2019, Magic Johnson stepped down as president of basketball operations.[4] Three days after that, Luke Walton and the team agreed to part ways.[5] On May 13, the team hired Frank Vogel as their new head coach[6] and Jason Kidd was named an assistant coach.[7]
Draft
Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School / Club team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4 | De'Andre Hunter | SF | American | Virginia |
The Lakers hold one first round draft pick for the 2019 NBA Draft.[8][9] They previously held the rights to two second rounders in this year's draft as well, but those selections were later traded to the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks as picks 34 and 41, respectively.[10][11] On the night of the NBA draft lottery, the Lakers rose up seven spots from the projected 11th selection to the 4th pick of the draft.[12] On June 15, the Lakers agreed to a trade that will send players Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart, and multiple draft picks, including the Lakers' 2019 1st round draft pick, to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Anthony Davis. However, the trade was not finalized until July 6, during which time, the Washington Wizards were included in the deal as well.[13]
Trades
On June 15, the Lakers agreed to a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans to acquire 6-time NBA All-Star power forward Anthony Davis, though the deal would not take full effect until July 6.[13] In exchange for Davis, the Lakers agreed to give up forward Brandon Ingram, guards Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, three first round picks (including their No. 4 overall selection in 2019), and a first round pick swap in 2023. On June 27, the Washington Wizards joined the trade to get Moritz Wagner, Isaac Bonga, Jemerrio Jones and the Lakers' 2022 second-round pick in exchange for cash considerations.[14]
Roster
Los Angeles Lakers roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Roster |
Standings
Division
Pacific Division | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | GP |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
c – Los Angeles Lakers | 52 | 19 | .732 | −3.5 | 25–10 | 27–9 | 10–3 | 71 |
x – Los Angeles Clippers | 49 | 23 | .681 | 0.0 | 27–9 | 22–14 | 8–6 | 72 |
Phoenix Suns | 34 | 39 | .466 | 15.5 | 17–22 | 17–17 | 6–9 | 73 |
Sacramento Kings | 31 | 41 | .431 | 18.0 | 16–19 | 15–22 | 8–5 | 72 |
Golden State Warriors | 15 | 50 | .231 | 30.5 | 8–26 | 7–24 | 2–11 | 65 |
Conference
Western Conference | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
# | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | GP |
1 | c – Los Angeles Lakers | 52 | 19 | .732 | – | 71 |
2 | x – Los Angeles Clippers * | 49 | 23 | .681 | 3.5 | 72 |
3 | y – Denver Nuggets * | 46 | 27 | .630 | 7.0 | 73 |
4 | y – Houston Rockets * | 44 | 28 | .611 | 8.5 | 72 |
5 | x – Oklahoma City Thunder | 44 | 28 | .611 | 8.5 | 72 |
6 | x – Utah Jazz | 44 | 28 | .611 | 8.5 | 72 |
7 | x – Dallas Mavericks | 43 | 32 | .573 | 11.0 | 75 |
8 | x – Portland Trail Blazers | 35 | 39 | .473 | 18.5 | 74 |
9 | Memphis Grizzlies | 34 | 39 | .466 | 19.0 | 73 |
10 | Phoenix Suns | 34 | 39 | .466 | 19.0 | 73 |
11 | San Antonio Spurs | 32 | 39 | .451 | 20.0 | 71 |
12 | Sacramento Kings | 31 | 41 | .431 | 21.5 | 72 |
13 | New Orleans Pelicans | 30 | 42 | .417 | 22.5 | 72 |
14 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 19 | 45 | .297 | 29.5 | 64 |
15 | Golden State Warriors | 15 | 50 | .231 | 34.0 | 65 |
Regular season
Game log
Preseason
2019 preseason game log Total: 3–3 (Home: 2–2; Road: 1–1) | |
---|---|
Preseason: 3–3 (Home: 2–2; Road: 1–1)
| |
2019–20 season schedule |
Regular season
2019–20 game log Total: 52–19 (Home: 25–10; Road: 27–9) | |
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October: 3–1 (Home: 3–0; Road: 0–1)
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November: 14–1 (Home: 6–1; Road: 8–0)
| |
December: 9–5 (Home: 2–3; Road: 7–2)
| |
January: 10–4 (Home: 5–2; Road: 5–2)
| |
February: 9–2 (Home: 5–1; Road: 4–1)
| |
March: 4–1 (Home: 2–1; Road: 2–0)
| |
Seeding games: 3–5 (Home: 2–2; Road: 1–3)
| |
2019–20 season schedule |
Postseason
Season notes
LeBron James and Davis would be selected to the All-Star Game for the 16th straight, and seventh straight years respectively. James would take Davis with the No. 1 pick in the All-Star draft. Additionally, Vogel was also selected to coach Team LeBron in the All-Star Game. Team LeBron would go on to win 157–155, with Davis hitting a game-winning free throw.
By adding Davis, the Lakers got off to a fast start to the season, which included a 17–2 record by the end of November. Four months later, they were able to clinch their first playoff berth since the 2012–13 season with a win over the Milwaukee Bucks on March 6.
However, five days after clinching their playoff berth, the NBA season was abruptly suspended by league officials [18] after it was reported that Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for COVID-19.[19] Two unidentified players of the Lakers would later test positive for COVID-19 on March 19.[20]
Transactions
Overview
Players Added Trade Free agency
Two-way contract |
Players Lost Trade Free agency Waived |
Trades
Three-team trade | [21][22][23] | |
To Los Angeles Lakers
|
To New Orleans Pelicans
| |
To Washington Wizards
|
Free agency
Re-signed
Player | Signed |
---|---|
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope[26] | 2-year contract worth $16.5 million |
JaVale McGee[26] | 2-year contract worth $8.2 million |
Alex Caruso[27] | 2-year contract worth $5.5 million |
Rajon Rondo[28] | 2-year contract worth $5.1 million |
Additions
Player | Signed | Former Team |
---|---|---|
Zach Norvell Jr.[29] | Two-way contract | Gonzaga |
Troy Daniels[30] | 1-year contract worth $2 million | Phoenix Suns |
Jared Dudley[30] | 1-year contract worth $2.5 million | Brooklyn Nets |
Quinn Cook[31] | 2-year contract worth $6 million | Golden State Warriors |
DeMarcus Cousins[31] | 1-year contract worth $3.5 million | Golden State Warriors |
Danny Green[31] | 2-year contract worth $30 million | Toronto Raptors |
Avery Bradley[32] | 2-year contract worth $9.7 million | Memphis Grizzlies |
Talen Horton-Tucker[33] | 2-year contract worth $2.4 million | Iowa State |
Kostas Antetokounmpo[34] | Two-way contract | Dallas Mavericks |
Dwight Howard[35] | 1-year contract worth $2.8 million | Memphis Grizzlies |
Devontae Cacok[36] | Two-way contract | South Bay Lakers |
Markieff Morris[37] | 1-year contract worth $1.7 million | Detroit Pistons |
Dion Waiters[38] | 1-year contract worth $503,656 | Memphis Grizzlies |
J.R. Smith[39] | Season Restart contract, worth unknown | Cleveland Cavaliers |
Subtractions
Player | Reason left | New Team |
---|---|---|
Mike Muscala[40] | 1-year contract worth $1.6 million | Oklahoma City Thunder |
Reggie Bullock[41] | 2-year contract worth $8.2 million | New York Knicks |
Tyson Chandler[42] | 1-year contract worth $2.5 million | Houston Rockets |
Zach Norvell Jr.[43] | 10-day contract worth $50,752 | Golden State Warriors |
DeMarcus Cousins | Waived | |
Troy Daniels[44] | Waived | Denver Nuggets |
Notes
References
- Aschburner, Steve. "Coronavirus pandemic causes NBA to suspend season after player tests positive". NBA.com. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
- "What we know and don't know about the NBA's return to play". ESPN.com. June 5, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
- Blumenthal, Eli. "NBA restart: Everything you need to know about basketball's 2020 return". CNET. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
- http://www.nba.com/article/2019/04/09/magic-johnson-steps-down-lakers-president
- "Los Angeles Lakers and Luke Walton Mutually Agree to Part Ways". NBA.com. April 12, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
- "Lakers Announce Hiring of Frank Vogel as Head Coach". NBA.com. May 13, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2019/05/11/lakers-frank-vogel-new-head-coach-jason-kidd-joins-staff/1178979001/
- "2019 NBA Draft Lottery odds: Knicks, Cavaliers, Suns clinch league's worst records, lock up top lottery-draw positions". CBSSports.com. April 11, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
- "Full 2019 NBA Draft Order". tankathon.com. Archived from the original on May 15, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
- "Lakers Acquire Isaac Bonga in Trade with Philadelphia". NBA.com. July 6, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
- "Cavaliers Complete Trade with Atlanta". NBA.com. October 14, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
- Goldich, Mitch (May 15, 2019). "Don't Be a Fool: Tanking Is Not Dead". SI.com. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
- https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26981805/sources-lakers-reach-deal-pelicans-davis
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/parkercotton/2019/06/27/as-lakers-clear-cap-space-wizards-receive-wagner-bonga-jones-in-trade/
- "Lakers Announce 2019–20 Preseason Schedule Presented by Delta Air Lines". NBA.com/Lakers. May 30, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
- https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-reschedules-postponed-lakers-clippers-game-for-april-9-at-staples-center/
- "Lakers vs. Clippers game postponed". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- "NBA to suspend season following Wednesday's games". NBA.com. March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
- Reynolds, Tim (March 11, 2020). "NBA suspends season until further notice, over coronavirus". NBA.com. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
- "Statement From the Los Angeles Lakers". NBA.com. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
- "Lakers Acquire Anthony Davis". NBA.com. July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
- "Pelicans complete three-team trade with Lakers, Wizards". NBA.com. July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
- "Wizards acquire Wagner, Jones and Bonga from Lakers". NBA.com. July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
- Merchant, Sabreena. "The Lakers have officially traded for Anthony Davis, and now their path forward is clear". SBNation. Vox Media. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
- "Future Traded Pick Details". RealGM. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
- "Lakers Re-Sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and JaVale McGee". NBA.com/lakers. July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
- "Lakers Re-sign Alex Caruso". NBA.com/lakers. July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
- "Lakers Re-Sign Rajon Rondo". NBA.com/lakers. July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
- "Lakers Sign Zach Norvell Jr. to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com/lakers. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
- "Lakers Sign Troy Daniels and Jared Dudley". NBA.com/lakers. July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
- "Lakers Sign Quinn Cook, DeMarcus Cousins, and Danny Green". NBA.com/lakers. July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
- "Lakers Sign Avery Bradley". NBA.com/lakers. July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
- "Lakers Sign Talen Horton-Tucker". NBA.com/lakers. July 13, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- "Lakers Awarded Kostas Antetokounmpo on Waiver Claim". NBA.com/lakers. July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
- "Lakers Sign Dwight Howard". NBA.com/lakers. August 26, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
- "Lakers Sign Devontae Cacok to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com/lakers. December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- "Lakers Sign Markieff Morris". NBA.com/lakers. February 23, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
- "Lakers Sign Dion Waiters". NBA.com/lakers. March 6, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- Wojnarowski, Adrian (July 1, 2020). "JR Smith signs with Lakers for rest of season". Disney Publishing Worldwide. ESPN. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- "Thunder Signs Mike Muscala". NBA.com/thunder. July 10, 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
- "New York Knicks Sign Reggie Bullock and Marcus Morris". NBA.com/knicks. July 16, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
- "Rockets Sign Free Agent Tyson Chandler". NBA.com/rockets. July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
- "Warriors Sign Guards Zach Norvell Jr. and Jeremy Pargo to 10-Day Contracts". NBA.com/warriors. February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- "Lakers Waive Troy Daniels". NBA.com/lakers. March 1, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.