Blame Tree: Who Deserves The Most Blame For The Lakers' Disappointing Season

Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss bear 30% of the blame for the Lakers' disappointing season. Their decision not to pursue trades for All-Star caliber players like Zach LaVine or Dejounte Murray before the trade deadline left the team with the same roster composition as the previous season, despite falling short of the NBA Finals.

Trusting D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves to fill crucial roles behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis proved to be insufficient, highlighting a lack of foresight in roster construction. The failure to secure a third star to compete with elite teams like the Denver Nuggets compounded the team's challenges. Seeing how teams such as the Boston Celtics added Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday in risky trades, the Lakers needed to make major moves and not rest on their laurels from last year.

Additionally, opting for rookie coach Darvin Ham instead of an experienced, championship-level head coach last year may have hindered the team's ability to maximize its talent and navigate adversity effectively. By not pursuing impactful moves and settling for a less experienced coaching option, Pelinka and Buss limited the team's potential and made their path to success much tougher than necessary.

Darvin Ham - 15%

Darvin Ham bears 15% of the blame for the Lakers' disappointing season which is not because he is a terrible coach but rather the situation he was brought into. While it's true that his lack of championship experience is not entirely his fault, as it was the Lakers management who hired him, Ham's performance as head coach has fallen short of expectations which is why he is on the hot seat. 

Throughout the season, he has made questionable decisions regarding player rotations and in-game decisions, which has led to dissatisfaction among key players like Anthony Davis. Additionally, Ham has struggled to elevate the play of crucial contributors such as D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, both of whom have shown stagnation under his leadership.

Compared to more seasoned coaches like Michael Malone, Erik Spoelstra, and Ty Lue, Ham has not demonstrated the same level of adeptness in in-game adjustments, placing the Lakers at a disadvantage against top-tier opponents. It is very hard for superstar players on the level of James and Davis to respect most NBA coaches, especially if they don’t have championship rings. While not entirely responsible for the team's struggles, Ham's shortcomings as a coach have contributed to the Lakers' disappointing season.

Anthony Davis - 15%

Despite delivering one of the best seasons of his career (24.7 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 2.3 BPG) and being a contender for Defensive Player of the Year, Anthony Davis has yet to fully assert himself as the leader and top player on the team. While LeBron James should naturally transition into a co-star role given his age, Davis has remained in that secondary position.

His toughness, consistency, and heart have been questioned at times, despite his impressive statistical output. Davis has not consistently reached the MVP-level performance expected of him, especially considering his supposed role as the face of the Lakers since 2020. Remaining LeBron's sidekick has undermined the Lakers' title aspirations and diminished their intimidation factor across the league, as opposing teams no longer fear facing them. 

Davis' inability to fully step into the role of a franchise cornerstone has hindered the Lakers' success and left them without a clear identity on the court. Even in the playoffs, Davis averaged 27.8 points, 15.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game but did not make a three-pointer in the series and gave up averages of 28.2 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game from Nikola Jokic so he didn’t necessarily win the matchup. The Lakers need and expect a ton from Davis, and the big man doesn’t always deliver that.

D’Angelo Russell - 15%

D'Angelo Russell also bears 15% of the blame for the Lakers' disappointing season due to his inconsistencies. While he provided the team with promising performances during the regular season, averaging 18.0 points and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 41.5% from three-point range, Russell's playoff performance fell short of expectations.

With averages of 14.2 points and 4.2 assists per game on 43.1% shooting from the field, he failed to maintain his regular-season level of play when it mattered most. Despite showing potential as a third option, Russell's inability to perform at an elite level in the postseason contributed to the Lakers' early playoff exit. While Lakers management also shares responsibility for not pursuing a third star, Russell's underperformance limited the team's competitiveness in the playoffs, highlighting the need for consistent production from key players during critical moments.

If Russell had played close to his regular season levels, the series would not have ended in five games and would have been more competitive. Instead, the Lakers faltered to a 3-0 start in the first round to the Nuggets and could not go toe-to-toe with point guard Jamal Murray (23.6 PPG with two game-winners) which means eyebrows are raised at D’Angelo Russell.

Rui Hachimura - 10%

Rui Hachimura shoulders 10% of the blame for the Lakers' disappointing season. Acquired as a key pickup before last season's trade deadline, Hachimura showcased promise during the regular season, averaging 13.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 53.7% from the field.

Possessing a versatile offensive skill set with proficiency in mid-range and post-scoring, coupled with his size (6'8") and strength (230 lbs), Hachimura, at 26 years old, was expected to demonstrate signs of improvement. However, his performance in the playoffs fell short of expectations, as he only managed to contribute 7.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game on 40.9% shooting from the field.

Hachimura's underwhelming playoff performance was a significant factor in the Lakers' inability to compete effectively against the Nuggets, highlighting his failure to step up when it mattered most.

LeBron James - 5%

LeBron James bears 5% of the blame for the Lakers' disappointing season. As the team's best player and leader, James shoulders significant responsibility, despite being 39 years old and arguably in the twilight of his career. He continues to serve as the team's primary option, delivering an All-NBA-worthy campaign in the regular season with averages of 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game.

In the playoffs, he maintained a high level of production, averaging 27.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game against the Nuggets. While no longer in his prime, James did his best given his age, and contributed significantly to the team's efforts. Therefore, he receives minimal blame for the Lakers' disappointing season.

Austin Reaves - 5%

Austin Reaves shoulders 5% of the blame for the Lakers' disappointing season. As an undrafted rookie in the 2021-22 season, he wasn't expected to play a significant role on any team. However, Reaves showed promise in the 2022-23 season, earning a $50 million extension in the preseason to return to the Lakers.

Throughout the regular season, he demonstrated consistency, averaging 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. In the playoffs, he maintained his steady performance with averages of 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Despite his reliability as a playmaker and scoring threat, Reaves operates as the fourth option on the team and is judged accordingly.

While it's difficult to attribute significant blame to Reaves, he, like the rest of the team, must meet the high standards set by opponents like the Nuggets to help the Lakers succeed in the postseason.

Jarred Vanderbilt - 5%

Despite being recognized as the team's best natural perimeter defender, Jarred Vanderbilt's impact was limited due to injuries that sidelined him for much of the season. With only 29 games played in the regular season and an average of 20.0 minutes per game, his absence undoubtedly had a detrimental effect on the Lakers' defense. The team's ranking of 23rd in opponent points per game (OPPG) underscores the significance of Vanderbilt's absence.

His defensive prowess would have been particularly valuable against opponents like the Nuggets, where his absence weakened the Lakers' perimeter defense and left them vulnerable, especially against players like Jamal Murray. While Vanderbilt's injuries hampered his ability to contribute, his absence highlighted the team's reliance on his defensive capabilities and the impact it had on their overall performance.