The 2018-2019 NBA season is in full swing, and the Lakers are struggling to find their footing. LeBron James has been the only player left from the last championship team, but he’s now on his fourth team in four years.
The los angeles lakers roster is a list of all the players that have been on the Los Angeles Lakers since they were founded in 1946.
Since LeBron James made waves by signing with the Lakers in free agency, the 2019 Lakers had a lot of potential. James chose to play for the Lakers rather than return to his hometown Cleveland after making eight consecutive Finals with the Heat and Cavaliers. James made an odd choice when he thought that joining a rebuilding squad would help him achieve his objectives.
The King did achieve his objective of winning a championship after two years, but it required a major roster change to bring in superstar Anthony Davis. The 2019 Lakers are no longer with us as we begin the 2021-2022 season. Only LeBron James remains from the whole roster, and much has changed in the last two years. Here’s where all of the 2019 Lakers’ players are right now.
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James
SB Nation
The King has already left his imprint on the Los Angeles Lakers, who have won a championship for the first time since 2010. Anthony Davis, who played like the greatest big man in the league, was a huge assist to LeBron. Despite missing the playoffs once and being eliminated in the first round last season, the King is already recognized as one of the greatest Lakers ever.
He may join the Mt. Rushmore of Lakers history if he wins at least one more NBA title, which is a possibility now that Russell Westbrook has joined the team. That proves one thing: when LeBron leaves, clubs rush to put together a contender, which implies everyone else is disposable.
Washington Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma
Kyle Kuzma was eventually moved from the Los Angeles Lakers after years of trade speculation. Kuzma was deemed untouchable in the Anthony Davis trade since he averaged 18.7 points per game while playing alongside one of the all-time greats. Unfortunately for the Lakers, Kuzma’s scoring averaged less than 13 points per game for the following two seasons, and he was quickly becoming the most probable trade target.
This summer, Kuzma was ultimately included in the deal that brought 9-time All-Star Russell Westbrook to Los Angeles. The 6’10” power forward is just 26 years old and has plenty of time to regain his best form, but he’ll have to do so with the Washington Wizards next season.
New Orleans Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram
When the Lakers were searching for a star to pair with LeBron James, Brandon Ingram was the hottest trade component, and he is now one of the franchise’s pillars. By the age of 23, Ingram has already made an All-Star team and has the potential to be a true superstar in the game.
Trading him was worth the title Anthony Davis delivered to Los Angeles in 2020 for the Lakers. Ingram will need at least a couple more years to catch up to Davis as an All-NBA player, and he may never do so. But one thing is certain: Ingram, apart from LeBron James, was the most talented of all the Lakers players in 2019.
Chicago Bulls’ Lonzo Ball
Lonzo Ball is regarded as one of the most divisive talents in the NBA Draft. With Hall of Famer Magic Johnson engaged in selection choices, Lonzo was chosen No. 2 in the 207 NBA Draft and had all eyes on him. Ball was never compared to Magic, but he was anticipated to make the Los Angeles Lakers’ All-Star team at the very least.
But it never occurred, as Ball was sent to Anthony Davis in the Anthony Davis trade. Lonzo played with the Pelicans for two seasons, averaging 13.1 points per game and 6.4 assists per game, but he never lived up to his full potential. After signing a $85 million deal with the Chicago Bulls, Lonzo has the opportunity to really concentrate on his skills and develop into a great.
Phoenix Suns’ JaVale McGee
JaVale McGee has totally transformed his career, despite his previous notoriety. As a member of the Warriors and Lakers, the athletic 7’0″ center went from being a regular on “Shaqtin’ A Fool” to a three-time NBA champion. McGee was a member of the Lakers squad that won the NBA championship in 2020.
McGee averaged 12.0 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game in 2019, and 6.6 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per game in 2020. Los Angeles possessed the edge of size on both sides of the floor, thanks to McGee’s length and presence inside the paint, on way to a deep playoff run.
Washington Wizards’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Since joining the Lakers in 2018, Caldwell-Pope has been one of the team’s longest-serving players. In four seasons in Los Angeles, the shooting guard averaged 11.1 points per game on 37.8% three-point shooting while playing outstanding on-ball defense.
Caldwell-two-way Pope’s performance as the Lakers’ primary shooting guard was crucial to the team’s championship chase in 2020. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was moved this summer as part of the Russell Westbrook deal, and he now has to compete for a spot on the Wizards’ depth chart behind Bradley Beal.
Dallas Mavericks’ Reggie Bullock
Reggie Bullock only lasted one season with the Lakers, scoring 9.3 points per game on 34.3 percent three-point shooting. Bullock was clearly not the Lakers’ long-term solution, as he was unable of playing lockdown defense or even consistently shooting the three with LeBron James.
Bullock had found a new home with the Knicks during the previous two seasons, and he was a key member of the postseason Knicks, averaging 30.0 minutes per game. Bullock was signed by the Mavericks this summer in the hopes that he can maintain his 41.0 percent three-point shooting rate from last season.
Memphis Grizzlies’ Rajon Rondo
Because of his on-ball defense and leadership in the playoffs, Rajon Rondo was probably the third most essential player for the Lakers’ championship run in 2020. Rondo didn’t have particularly impressive numbers during the regular season, but he turned it on in the playoffs, averaging 8.9 points per game and 6.6 assists per game.
Rondo played for the Lakers for two seasons before signing a larger deal with the Hawks and being moved to the Clippers last year. Rondo was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies this summer, but he may be transferred again before the start of the season.
Chicago Bulls’ Alex Caruso
Alex Caruso was a social media icon for the Lakers throughout his four seasons with the team. Caruso’s career averages are 5.9 points per game and 2.4 assists per game, but his impact came from his on-ball defense and effort on both ends of the floor.
Because he signed to a roughly $37 million deal with the Chicago Bulls, “White Mamba 2.0” is no longer a Laker. With the additions of DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball, the Bulls are on the right road, and Caruso fits in well because of his defense and desire to improve on both ends.
Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac
Ivica Zubac, a Bosnian center with a lot of potential owing to his height and skill in the post, was unexpectedly dealt to the Clippers. Zubac was expected to be a long-term component for the Lakers, averaging 6.4 PPG and 3.9 RPG in 2.5 seasons.
But LeBron James was in town, and the Lakers couldn’t afford to wait for their young players to mature. Zubac has spent the past 2.5 seasons with the Clippers, averaging 8.8 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game as the team’s full-time center.
New Orleans Pelicans’ Josh Hart
Josh Hart was a valuable contributor for the Lakers in 2019, averaging 7.8 points per game and 3.7 rebounds per game. It was tough to accept Josh Hart’s departure in the Anthony Davis deal, but the two-way winger only improved this season with the Pelicans, averaging 9.2 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
Hart is a good rebounder for his position, a strong worker on defense, and a capable shooter. That’s why the Pelicans re-signed him to a $38 million deal, despite the fact that he’s just 26 years old and has a shot to start if he keeps improving his offensive game.
Lance Stephenson is an unrestricted free agent.
When Lance Stephenson was with the Pacers, he was one of LeBron James’ biggest irritants, but when he joined the Lakers in 2019, they let bygones be bygones. Stephenson only played one season with the Lakers, scoring 7.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
That season also occurred to be Lance’s last season in the league, as he is now requesting tryouts with NBA clubs. Teams are interested in a seasoned two-way player who plays hard every night, so “Born Ready” may be back in the league soon.
Michael Beasley is an unrestricted free agent.
(Photo courtesy of Hoops Rumors)
Michael Beasley was considered as one of the best rookie players in the 2000s due to his ability to score the ball with a combination of size and quickness. Beasley changed clubs a few times, but in 2019 he was a member of the Lakers.
Beasley led the Lakers with 7.0 points per game and 2.3 rebounds per game that season, and he, like Lance Stephenson, is now undergoing tryouts with NBA clubs. The former No. 2 overall selection is just 32 years old and has a few more years to prove himself in the NBA, so we may expect to see him in the league again.
Next
What Has Happened to the 1998 NBA Champions Chicago Bulls?
What Has Happened to the 2006 NBA Champions Miami Heat?
Starting Lineups For The Past 5 Seasons: The Evolution Of The Chicago Bulls
Marc Gasol ruined LeBron James’ almost perfect season in 2013.
Compared to Today’s Highest Contracts, Michael Jordan’s 1998 Salary: The GOAT Reigns Supreme
The lakers roster 2019 is a list of the players on the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James is the only player left from the 2018-19 season.
Related Tags
- lakers players 2020
- los angeles lakers roster 2022
- lakers roster 2020-21
- lakers roster update
- nets roster