Eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, after a frustrating series against the Nuggets, the Lakers are now looking towards next season. Reflecting, in particular, on the areas in which they must progress to be able to (really) aim for the NBA title.
While the Californian management struck first last week, by dismissing Darvin Ham, now Anthony Davis gives his feelings regarding his “requirements” for 2024/25. “AD”, who some are calling to be more involved in the choices of “his” franchise, as a key player in it…
“ It's all a question of continuity » he explains. “ A lot of our guys were absent: Rui [Hachimura] missed games, Gabe [Vincent] missed a lot, [Jarred Vanderbilt] missed a bunch, [Christian Wood] also… But I think we found something at the end of the season with this squad. Obviously some guys will have to make decisions, but I think the best way to continue fighting for the title is to keep your core intact. I learned that being in New Orleans, where I had countless different teammates, and it was difficult…”
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If the injuries have therefore weakened somewhat Los Angeles in the regular season (Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood and Cam Reddish) then in the playoffs (Vanderbilt, Wood and Reddish), Anthony Davis is therefore campaigning for the maintenance of the 2023/24 squad, while rumors of arrival of a third star have started again.
Problem: several elements like LeBron James, D'Angelo Russell, Taurean Prince, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish will or can test the market, leaving “AD” and the Lakers in the dark.
“ Look at teams like Denver, Boston, Golden State… These teams that accomplished incredible things because the core stayed together, just adding around without making too many changes » illustrates the Angeleno interior. “ Afterwards, it's different when a lot of guys have options and have to make the best decisions for their family and for themselves. So we'll see how the summer goes, what some guys will do, but based on my observations and experience, the best way to continue fighting for the title is to keep your core together. »
First good news for Anthony Davis: Christian Wood has already chosen to return to Los Angeles and, while waiting to know what LeBron James or D'Angelo Russell will decide, we will first have to know the name of the next coach of this team (Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, JJ Redick, Tyronn Lue?).
| Shots | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Bp | Int | Ct | Party | Pts |
| LeBron James | 71 | 35.3 | 54.0 | 41.0 | 75.0 | 0.9 | 6.4 | 7.3 | 8.3 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 25.7 |
| Anthony Davis | 76 | 35.5 | 55.6 | 27.1 | 81.6 | 3.1 | 9.5 | 12.6 | 3.5 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 24.7 |
| Angelo Russell | 76 | 32.7 | 45.6 | 41.5 | 82.8 | 0.4 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 6.3 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 2.1 | 18.0 |
| Austin Reaves | 82 | 32.1 | 48.6 | 36.7 | 85.3 | 0.7 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 15.9 |
| Rui Hachimura | 68 | 26.8 | 53.7 | 42.2 | 73.9 | 0.9 | 3.5 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 13.6 |
| Taurean Prince | 78 | 27.0 | 44.2 | 39.6 | 73.5 | 0.3 | 2.7 | 2.9 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 8.9 |
| Christian Wood | 50 | 17.4 | 46.6 | 30.7 | 70.2 | 0.8 | 4.3 | 5.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 6.9 |
| Spencer Dinwiddie | 28 | 24.2 | 39.7 | 38.9 | 88.0 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 6.8 |
| Cam Reddish | 48 | 20.5 | 38.9 | 33.6 | 75.9 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 5.4 |
| Jared Vanderbilt | 29 | 20.0 | 51.8 | 29.6 | 66.7 | 1.4 | 3.3 | 4.8 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 5.2 |
| Jaxson Hayes | 70 | 12.5 | 72.0 | 0.0 | 62.2 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 4.3 |
| Max Christie | 67 | 14.1 | 42.7 | 35.6 | 78.3 | 0.2 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 4.2 |
| Gabe Vincent | 11 | 19.8 | 30.6 | 10.7 | 50.0 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 3.1 |
| From me Hodge | 7 | 5.9 | 33.3 | 25.0 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 2.0 |
| Jalen Hood-schifino | 21 | 5.2 | 22.2 | 13.3 | 60.0 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 1.6 |
| Colin Castleton | 16 | 3.7 | 56.3 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 1.5 |
| Dylan Windler | 8 | 3.5 | 44.4 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.5 |
| Skylar Mays | 17 | 4.5 | 47.6 | 40.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.3 |
| Alex Fudge | 4 | 3.6 | 16.7 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.0 |
| Maxwell Lewis | 34 | 3.0 | 19.0 | 11.1 | 66.7 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| Harry Giles | 7 | 2.7 | 16.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 |
