2019–20 Los Angeles Lakers season

2019–20 Los Angeles Lakers season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachFrank Vogel
General managerRob Pelinka
PresidentJeanie Buss
OwnersJerry Buss family trust (primary owner being Jeanie Buss since March 27, 2017)
ArenaStaples Center
Results
Record52–19 (.732)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Pacific)
Conference: 1st (Western)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated Heat 4–2)

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionSpectrum SportsNet
RadioESPN LA 710 (English)
1020 Radio AM (Spanish)
< 2018–19 2020–21 >

The 2019–20 Los Angeles Lakers season was the franchise's 72nd season, its 71st season in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and its 60th in Los Angeles. The Lakers were coached by Frank Vogel in his first year as team head coach. The team played its home games at Staples Center as members of the Western Conference's Pacific Division.

The team dedicated the season to retired Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020. On March 6, 2020, the Lakers clinched their first playoff berth since the 2012–13 season. Five days later, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the season was suspended.[1] On July 5, the NBA announced a return of the season in the NBA Bubble, with 22 teams playing eight seeding games followed by a full postseason.[2] Play resumed on July 30, with all games being played in Orlando, Florida.[3] On August 3, the Lakers clinched the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs for the first time since the 2009–10 season.[4]

The Lakers finished the season 52–19. They defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, and Denver Nuggets to advance to the NBA Finals. There, they defeated the Miami Heat (LeBron James' former team) in six games to earn the franchise's 17th NBA championship. The Lakers also became the first and only team in NBA history to be undefeated in a season when leading entering the fourth quarter, going a combined 57–0 record in the regular season and playoffs.[5]

Previous season

[edit]

In the 2018–19 season the Lakers amassed a record of 37–45. The team finished in fourth place in the Pacific Division and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. The season marked the first time since 2005 that Lakers star LeBron James did not appear in the playoffs and first time since 2010 that he missed the Finals.[citation needed]

Offseason

[edit]

Front office and coaching changes

[edit]

On April 9, 2019, Magic Johnson stepped down as president of basketball operations.[6] Three days after that, coach Luke Walton and the team agreed to part ways.[7] On May 13, the team hired Frank Vogel as their new head coach[8] and Jason Kidd was named an assistant coach.[9]

Draft

[edit]
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School / Club team
1 4 De'Andre Hunter SF American Virginia

The Lakers held one first-round draft pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.[10][11] The Lakers initially held the rights to two second-round picks in the 2019 draft as well, but later traded those picks to the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks, respectively.[12][13] On the night of the NBA draft lottery, the Lakers received the fourth overall pick in the draft; the team had been projected to receive the 11th overall pick.[14] The Lakers used the fourth overall draft pick to select De'Andre Hunter; the team later sent the rights to Hunter to the New Orleans Pelicans in a trade that brought Anthony Davis to Los Angeles.[15]

Trades

[edit]

On June 15, 2019, the Lakers agreed to acquire six-time NBA All-Star power forward Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans. (The deal did not take full effect until July 6).[16][15] In exchange for Davis, the Lakers gave up forward Brandon Ingram, guards Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, and three first-round picks (including De'Andre Hunter, the No. 4 draft overall selection in 2019).[15] On June 27, the Washington Wizards joined the trade, obtaining Moritz Wagner, Isaac Bonga, Jemerrio Jones, and a 2022 second-round pick from the Lakers in exchange for cash considerations.[17]

Free agents

[edit]

During the offseason, the Lakers re-signed guard Rajon Rondo,[18] guard Alex Caruso,[19] guard/forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope,[20][21] and center JaVale McGee.[20] The Lakers also signed several veteran free agents to complement James and Davis;[citation needed] those veteran free agents included guard/forward Danny Green,[22] guard Avery Bradley,[23] and center Dwight Howard.[24]

Preseason

[edit]

Game log

[edit]
2019 preseason game log
Total: 3–3 (Home: 2–2; Road: 1–1)
Preseason: 3–3 (home: 2–2; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 5 @ Golden State W 123–101 Anthony Davis (22) JaVale McGee (13) LeBron James (8) Chase Center
18,064
1–0
2 October 10 Brooklyn L 111–114 LeBron James (20) JaVale McGee (10) Alex Caruso (8) Mercedes-Benz Arena
15,992
1–1
3 October 12 Brooklyn L 77–91 Avery Bradley (14) Howard, Caldwell-Pope (6) Alex Caruso (5) Universiade Sports Center
17,396
1–2
4 October 14 Golden State W 104–98 Zach Norvell Jr. (22) Dwight Howard (13) David Stockton (7) Staples Center
18,997
2–2
5 October 16 Golden State W 126–93 James, Bradley (18) Anthony Davis (10) LeBron James (11) Staples Center
18,997
3–2
6 October 18 @ Golden State L 103–124 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (25) Devontae Cacok (10) Demetrius Jackson (9) Chase Center
18,064
3–3
2019–20 season schedule

[25]

Regular season

[edit]

Standings

[edit]

Division

[edit]
Pacific DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
cLos Angeles Lakers5219.73225‍–‍1027‍–‍910–371
xLos Angeles Clippers4923.6813.527‍–‍922‍–‍148–672
Phoenix Suns3439.46619.017‍–‍2217‍–‍176–973
Sacramento Kings3141.43121.516‍–‍1915‍–‍228–572
Golden State Warriors1550.23134.08‍–‍267‍–‍242–1165

Conference

[edit]
Western Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1cLos Angeles Lakers *5219.73271
2xLos Angeles Clippers4923.6813.572
3yDenver Nuggets *4627.6307.073
4yHouston Rockets *4428.6118.572
5xOklahoma City Thunder4428.6118.572
6xUtah Jazz4428.6118.572
7xDallas Mavericks4332.57311.075
8xPortland Trail Blazers3539.47318.574
9piMemphis Grizzlies3439.46619.073
10Phoenix Suns3439.46619.073
11San Antonio Spurs3239.45120.071
12Sacramento Kings3141.43121.572
13New Orleans Pelicans3042.41722.572
14Minnesota Timberwolves1945.29729.564
15Golden State Warriors1550.23134.065

Game log

[edit]
2019–20 game log
Total: 52–19 (Home: 25–10; Road: 27–9)
October: 3–1 (home: 3–0; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 22 @ L. A. Clippers L 102–112 Danny Green (28) Anthony Davis (10) LeBron James (8) Staples Center
19,068
0–1
2 October 25 Utah W 95–86 LeBron James (32) James, Davis, Howard (7) LeBron James (10) Staples Center
18,997
1–1
3 October 27 Charlotte W 120–101 Anthony Davis (29) Anthony Davis (14) LeBron James (12) Staples Center
18,997
2–1
4 October 29 Memphis W 120–91 Anthony Davis (40) Anthony Davis (20) LeBron James (8) Staples Center
18,997
3–1
November: 14–1 (home: 6–1; road: 8–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
5 November 1 @ Dallas W 119–110 (OT) LeBron James (39) LeBron James (12) LeBron James (16) American Airlines Center
20,358
4–1
6 November 3 @ San Antonio W 103–96 Anthony Davis (25) Dwight Howard (13) LeBron James (13) AT&T Center
18,610
5–1
7 November 5 @ Chicago W 118–112 LeBron James (30) LeBron James (10) LeBron James (11) United Center
21,193
6–1
8 November 8 Miami W 95–80 Anthony Davis (26) JaVale McGee (10) Anthony Davis (7) Staples Center
18,997
7–1
9 November 10 Toronto L 104–113 Anthony Davis (27) LeBron James (13) LeBron James (15) Staples Center
18,997
7–2
10 November 12 @ Phoenix W 123–115 Anthony Davis (24) Anthony Davis (12) LeBron James (11) Talking Stick Resort Arena
18,055
8–2
11 November 13 Golden State W 120–94 LeBron James (23) JaVale McGee (17) LeBron James (12) Staples Center
18,997
9–2
12 November 15 Sacramento W 99–97 LeBron James (29) Howard, McGee (7) LeBron James (11) Staples Center
18,997
10–2
13 November 17 Atlanta W 122–101 LeBron James (33) Dwight Howard (9) LeBron James (12) Staples Center
18,997
11–2
14 November 19 Oklahoma City W 112–107 Anthony Davis (34) LeBron James (11) James, Rondo (10) Staples Center
18,997
12–2
15 November 22 @ Oklahoma City W 130–127 Anthony Davis (33) Anthony Davis (11) LeBron James (14) Chesapeake Energy Arena
18,203
13–2
16 November 23 @ Memphis W 109–108 LeBron James (30) Dwight Howard (9) Rajon Rondo (6) FedExForum
17,794
14–2
17 November 25 @ San Antonio W 114–104 LeBron James (33) Anthony Davis (12) LeBron James (14) AT&T Center
18,498
15–2
18 November 27 @ New Orleans W 114–110 Anthony Davis (41) Anthony Davis (9) LeBron James (11) Smoothie King Center
18,626
16–2
19 November 29 Washington W 125–103 Anthony Davis (26) Anthony Davis (13) LeBron James (11) Staples Center
18,997
17–2
December: 9–5 (home: 2–3; road: 7–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
20 December 1 Dallas L 100–114 Anthony Davis (27) Davis, McGee (10) LeBron James (8) Staples Center
18,997
17–3
21 December 3 @ Denver W 105–96 Davis, James (25) Anthony Davis (10) LeBron James (9) Pepsi Center
19,658
18–3
22 December 4 @ Utah W 121–96 Anthony Davis (26) Howard, Rondo (9) James, Rondo (12) Vivint Smart Home Arena
18,306
19–3
23 December 6 @ Portland W 136–113 Anthony Davis (39) Dwight Howard (10) LeBron James (8) Moda Center
19,912
20–3
24 December 8 Minnesota W 142–125 Anthony Davis (50) Danny Green (8) LeBron James (13) Staples Center
18,997
21–3
25 December 11 @ Orlando W 96–87 LeBron James (25) Anthony Davis (12) LeBron James (10) Amway Center
18,846
22–3
26 December 13 @ Miami W 113–110 Anthony Davis (33) Davis, McGee (10) LeBron James (12) American Airlines Arena
20,013
23–3
27 December 15 @ Atlanta W 101–96 LeBron James (32) Davis, James (13) LeBron James (7) State Farm Arena
16,962
24–3
28 December 17 @ Indiana L 102–105 Howard, James (20) LeBron James (9) LeBron James (9) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
17,923
24–4
29 December 19 @ Milwaukee L 104–111 Anthony Davis (36) LeBron James (12) LeBron James (11) Fiserv Forum
18,051
24–5
30 December 22 Denver L 104–128 Anthony Davis (32) Anthony Davis (11) Rajon Rondo (8) Staples Center
18,997
24–6
31 December 25 L. A. Clippers L 106–111 Kyle Kuzma (25) Howard, James (9) LeBron James (10) Staples Center
18,997
24–7
32 December 28 @ Portland W 128–120 Kyle Kuzma (24) Anthony Davis (9) LeBron James (16) Moda Center
19,960
25–7
33 December 29 Dallas W 108–95 Anthony Davis (23) Anthony Davis (9) LeBron James (13) Staples Center
18,997
26–7
January: 10–4 (home: 5–2; road: 5–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
34 January 1 Phoenix W 117–107 LeBron James (31) LeBron James (13) LeBron James (12) Staples Center
18,997
27–7
35 January 3 New Orleans W 123–113 Anthony Davis (46) Anthony Davis (13) LeBron James (15) Staples Center
18,997
28–7
36 January 5 Detroit W 106–99 Anthony Davis (24) LeBron James (14) LeBron James (11) Staples Center
18,997
29–7
37 January 7 New York W 117–87 LeBron James (31) Dwight Howard (13) Rajon Rondo (10) Staples Center
18,997
30–7
38 January 10 @ Dallas W 129–114 LeBron James (35) LeBron James (16) LeBron James (7) American Airlines Center
20,542
31–7
39 January 11 @ Oklahoma City W 125–110 Kyle Kuzma (36) Dwight Howard (14) Rajon Rondo (8) Chesapeake Energy Arena
18,203
32–7
40 January 13 Cleveland W 128–99 LeBron James (31) Dwight Howard (15) LeBron James (8) Staples Center
18,997
33–7
41 January 15 Orlando L 118–119 Quinn Cook (22) Dwight Howard (16) LeBron James (19) Staples Center
18,997
33–8
42 January 18 @ Houston W 124–115 LeBron James (31) Dwight Howard (10) LeBron James (12) Toyota Center
18,502
34–8
43 January 20 @ Boston L 107–139 JaVale McGee (18) Dwight Howard (10) LeBron James (13) TD Garden
19,156
34–9
44 January 22 @ New York W 100–92 Anthony Davis (28) Dwight Howard (12) Davis, James (5) Madison Square Garden
19,812
35–9
45 January 23 @ Brooklyn W 128–113 LeBron James (27) Howard, James (12) James, Rondo (10) Barclays Center
17,732
36–9
46 January 25 @ Philadelphia L 91–108 Anthony Davis (31) Davis, James (7) LeBron James (8) Wells Fargo Center
21,109
36–10
January 28 LA Clippers Postponed due to the 2020 Calabasas helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant. Makeup date July 30 (originally April 9).[26][27]
47 January 31 Portland L 119–127 Anthony Davis (37) Davis, Kuzma (15) LeBron James (10) Staples Center
18,997
36–11
February: 9–2 (home: 5–1; road: 4–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
48 February 1 @ Sacramento W 129–113 Anthony Davis (21) LeBron James (10) LeBron James (11) Golden 1 Center
17,583
37–11
49 February 4 San Antonio W 129–102 LeBron James (36) Kyle Kuzma (12) LeBron James (9) Staples Center
18,997
38–11
50 February 6 Houston L 111–121 Anthony Davis (32) Anthony Davis (13) LeBron James (15) Staples Center
18,997
38–12
51 February 8 @ Golden State W 125–120 Anthony Davis (27) Anthony Davis (10) LeBron James (11) Chase Center
18,064
39–12
52 February 10 Phoenix W 125–100 Anthony Davis (25) Dwight Howard (15) LeBron James (9) Staples Center
18,997
40–12
53 February 12 @ Denver W 120–116 (OT) Anthony Davis (33) LeBron James (12) LeBron James (14) Pepsi Center
19,860
41–12
54 February 21 Memphis W 117–105 LeBron James (32) Anthony Davis (13) LeBron James (7) Staples Center
18,997
42–12
55 February 23 Boston W 114–112 Anthony Davis (32) Anthony Davis (13) LeBron James (9) Staples Center
18,997
43–12
56 February 25 New Orleans W 118–109 LeBron James (40) Anthony Davis (14) Alex Caruso (8) Staples Center
18,997
44–12
57 February 27 @ Golden State W 116–86 Anthony Davis (23) Dwight Howard (9) Rajon Rondo (6) Chase Center
18,064
45–12
58 February 29 @ Memphis L 88–105 LeBron James (19) Anthony Davis (9) LeBron James (10) FedExForum
17,794
45–13
March: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
59 March 1 @ New Orleans W 122–114 LeBron James (34) LeBron James (12) LeBron James (13) Smoothie King Center
18,547
46–13
60 March 3 Philadelphia W 120–107 Anthony Davis (37) Anthony Davis (13) LeBron James (14) Staples Center
18,997
47–13
61 March 6 Milwaukee W 113–103 LeBron James (37) JaVale McGee (11) LeBron James (8) Staples Center
18,997
48–13
62 March 8 @ L. A. Clippers W 112–103 Anthony Davis (30) Kyle Kuzma (10) LeBron James (9) Staples Center
19,068
49–13
63 March 10 Brooklyn L 102–104 LeBron James (29) LeBron James (12) LeBron James (9) Staples Center
18,997
49–14
Seeding games: 3–5 (home: 2–2; road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
64 July 30 L. A. Clippers W 103–101 Anthony Davis (34) LeBron James (11) LeBron James (7) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
50–14
65 August 1 @ Toronto L 92–107 LeBron James (20) LeBron James (10) LeBron James (5) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
50–15
66 August 3 @ Utah W 116–108 Anthony Davis (42) Anthony Davis (12) LeBron James (9) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
51–15
67 August 5 Oklahoma City L 86–105 LeBron James (19) LeBron James (11) Anthony Davis (5) HP Field House
No In-Person Attendance
51–16
68 August 6 @ Houston L 97–113 Kyle Kuzma (21) Dwight Howard (15) Quinn Cook (4) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
51–17
69 August 8 @ Indiana L 111–116 LeBron James (31) Dwight Howard (12) LeBron James (7) HP Field House
No In-Person Attendance
51–18
70 August 10 Denver W 124–121 LeBron James (29) Markieff Morris (7) LeBron James (12) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
52–18
71 August 13 Sacramento L 122–136 Dion Waiters (19) JaVale McGee (9) Dudley, Waiters (5) HP Field House
No In-Person Attendance
52–19
Cancelled games
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
64 March 12 Houston Staples Center
65 March 15 Denver Staples Center
66 March 16 @ Utah Vivint Smart Home Arena
67 March 18 Utah Staples Center
68 March 21 @ Charlotte Spectrum Center
69 March 22 @ Detroit Little Caesars Arena
70 March 24 @ Toronto Scotiabank Arena
71 March 26 @ Cleveland Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
72 March 28 @ Washington Capital One Arena
73 March 30 @ Minnesota Target Center
74 April 1 Indiana Staples Center
75 April 4 Sacramento Golden 1 Center
76 April 5 Oklahoma City Staples Center
77 April 7 Golden State Staples Center
78 April 8 Chicago Staples Center
79 April 9 LA Clippers Staples Center
80 April 12 Minnesota Staples Center
81 April 14 Sacramento Staples Center
82 April 15 @ Phoenix Talking Stick Resort Arena
2019–20 season schedule

Season notes

[edit]

The Lakers got off to a fast start to the season, amassing a franchise best 17–2 record by the end of November.[28] Four months later, they were able to clinch their first playoff berth since the 2012–13 season with a 113–103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on March 6, 2020.[29]

Five days after the Lakers clinched their playoff berth, the NBA season was abruptly suspended by league officials [30] after it was reported that Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for COVID-19.[31] Two unidentified players of the Lakers would later test positive for COVID-19 on March 19.[32] When the season resumed, Avery Bradley declined to play because his oldest child had a history of struggling to recover from respiratory illnesses.[33] The Lakers replaced Bradley on the roster with J. R. Smith, who was James' teammate on the NBA championship-winning 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers.[34]

Death of Kobe Bryant

[edit]

On January 26, 2020, tragedy struck the Lakers organization when retired Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash that also claimed the lives of his daughter Gianna "Gigi" Bryant and seven other passengers.[35] Bryant was 41 at the time of his death, and Gigi was 13. Bryant's death prompted the Lakers to dedicate the rest of their season to his memory.[36][37][38][39]

Playoffs

[edit]

Game log

[edit]
2020 playoff game log
Total: 16–5 (Home: 9–3; Road: 7–2)
First Round: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 August 18 Portland L 93–100 Anthony Davis (28) LeBron James (17) LeBron James (16) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
0–1
2 August 20 Portland W 111–88 Anthony Davis (31) Anthony Davis (11) LeBron James (7) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
1–1
3 August 22 @ Portland W 116–108 LeBron James (38) LeBron James (12) Davis, James (8) AdventHealth Arena
No In-Person Attendance
2–1
4 August 24 @ Portland W 135–115 LeBron James (30) Howard, McGee (8) LeBron James (10) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
3–1
5 August 29† Portland W 131–122 Anthony Davis (43) LeBron James (10) LeBron James (10) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
4–1
Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 September 4 Houston L 97–112 Anthony Davis (25) Anthony Davis (14) LeBron James (7) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
0–1
2 September 6 Houston W 117–109 Anthony Davis (34) LeBron James (11) James, Rondo (9) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
1–1
3 September 8 @ Houston W 112–102 LeBron James (36) Anthony Davis (15) Rajon Rondo (9) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
2–1
4 September 10 @ Houston W 110–100 Anthony Davis (29) LeBron James (15) LeBron James (9) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
3–1
5 September 12 Houston W 119–96 LeBron James (29) Davis, James (11) LeBron James (7) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
4–1
Conference Finals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 September 18 Denver W 126–114 Anthony Davis (37) Anthony Davis (10) LeBron James (12) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
1–0
2 September 20 Denver W 105–103 Anthony Davis (31) LeBron James (11) Rajon Rondo (9) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
2–0
3 September 22 @ Denver L 106–114 LeBron James (30) LeBron James (10) LeBron James (11) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
2–1
4 September 24 @ Denver W 114–108 Anthony Davis (34) Dwight Howard (11) LeBron James (8) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
3–1
5 September 26 Denver W 117–107 LeBron James (38) LeBron James (16) LeBron James (10) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
4–1
NBA Finals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Series
1 September 30 Miami W 116–98 Anthony Davis (34) LeBron James (13) LeBron James (9) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
1–0
2 October 2 Miami W 124–114 LeBron James (33) Anthony Davis (14) Rajon Rondo (10) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
2–0
3 October 4 @ Miami L 104–115 LeBron James (25) LeBron James (10) LeBron James (8) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
2–1
4 October 6 @ Miami W 102–96 LeBron James (28) LeBron James (12) LeBron James (8) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
3–1
5 October 9 Miami L 108–111 LeBron James (40) LeBron James (13) LeBron James (7) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
3–2
6 October 11 @ Miami W 106–93 LeBron James (28) Anthony Davis (15) LeBron James (10) The Arena
No In-Person Attendance
4–2
2020 playoff schedule


† Originally scheduled for August 26. Game 5 was rescheduled due to a boycott from NBA players after a police officer shot Jacob Blake.[40]

Playoff notes

[edit]

In the NBA playoffs, the Lakers faced off against the eight-seed Portland Trail Blazers in the first round and won the series in five games. In the Western Conference Semifinals, they faced the fourth-seeded Houston Rockets, again winning in five games. The Lakers advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2010, where they defeated the Denver Nuggets in five games.

The Lakers reached the NBA Finals for the first time in a decade. In the Finals, the Lakers competed against the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat; this was the first time that the two teams had met in the NBA Finals. The Lakers won the series in six games, winning the championship for the first time since the 2010 season. They became the first team since the 2007–08 Boston Celtics to miss the playoffs one season and win a championship the following season. The Lakers also tied the Celtics for the highest-ever number of NBA championship wins with 17.[41][5] The Lakers' LeBron James was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the fourth time in his career. He became the first player in league history to be named Finals MVP with three different franchises (twice with the Heat, once with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and once with the Lakers). James and Danny Green became the third and fourth players, respectively, to win NBA championships with three different teams.[42] Lakers president Jeanie Buss became the first female controlling owner to guide her team to an NBA title.[43][44]

Roster

[edit]
2019–20 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F 37 Antetokounmpo, Kostas (TW) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1997–11–20 Dayton
G 11 Bradley, Avery 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1990–11–26 Texas
F 12 Cacok, Devontae (TW) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1996–10–08 UNC Wilmington
G 1 Caldwell-Pope, Kentavious 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 204 lb (93 kg) 1993–02–18 Georgia
G 4 Caruso, Alex 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 186 lb (84 kg) 1994–02–28 Texas A&M
G 28 Cook, Quinn 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1993–03–23 Duke
F/C 3 Davis, Anthony 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 253 lb (115 kg) 1993–03–11 Kentucky
F 10 Dudley, Jared 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 237 lb (108 kg) 1985–07–10 Boston College
G/F 14 Green, Danny 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1987–06–22 North Carolina
G 5 Horton-Tucker, Talen 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 234 lb (106 kg) 2000–11–25 Iowa State
C 39 Howard, Dwight 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1985–12–08 SW Atlanta Academy (GA)
F 23 James, LeBron 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1984–12–30 St. Vincent–St. Mary HS (OH)
F 0 Kuzma, Kyle 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 221 lb (100 kg) 1995–07–24 Utah
C 7 McGee, JaVale 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 270 lb (122 kg) 1988–01–19 Nevada
F 88 Morris, Markieff 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1989–09–02 Kansas
G 9 Rondo, Rajon 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1986–02–22 Kentucky
G 21 Smith, J. R. 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1985–09–09 Saint Benedict's Prep (NJ)
G 18 Waiters, Dion 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1991–12–10 Syracuse
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League affiliate
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • (L) On leave from the team
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: 2020–07–13

Player statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season

[edit]
Los Angeles Lakers statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 69 26 25.5 .467 .385 .775 2.1 1.6 .8 .2 9.3
Dwight Howard 69 2 18.9 .729 .600 .514 7.3 .7 .4 1.1 7.5
Danny Green 68 68 24.8 .416 .367 .688 3.3 1.3 1.3 .5 8.0
JaVale McGee 68 68 16.6 .637 .500 .646 5.7 .5 .5 1.4 6.6
LeBron James 67 67 34.6 .493 .348 .693 7.8 10.2 1.2 .5 25.3
Alex Caruso 64 2 18.4 .412 .333 .734 1.9 1.9 1.1 .3 5.5
Anthony Davis 62 62 34.4 .503 .330 .846 9.3 3.2 1.5 2.3 26.1
Kyle Kuzma 61 9 25.0 .436 .316 .735 4.5 1.3 .5 .4 12.8
Avery Bradley 49 44 24.2 .444 .364 .833 2.3 1.3 .9 .1 8.6
Rajon Rondo 48 3 20.5 .418 .328 .659 3.0 5.0 .8 .0 7.1
Jared Dudley 45 1 8.1 .400 .429 1.000 1.2 .6 .3 .1 1.5
Quinn Cook 44 1 11.5 .425 .365 .786 1.2 1.1 .3 .0 5.1
Troy Daniels 41 0 11.1 .392 .357 .625 1.1 .3 .2 .1 4.2
Markieff Morris 14 1 14.2 .406 .333 .833 3.2 .6 .4 .4 5.3
Dion Waiters 7 0 23.6 .425 .233 .875 1.9 2.4 .6 .6 11.9
Talen Horton-Tucker 6 1 13.5 .467 .308 .500 1.2 1.0 1.3 .2 5.7
J. R. Smith 6 0 13.2 .318 .091 1.000 .8 .5 .2 .0 2.8
Kostas Antetokounmpo 5 0 4.0 1.000 .500 .6 .4 .0 .0 1.4
Zach Norvell Jr. 2 0 2.5 .000 .5 .0 .0 .0 .0
Devontae Cacok 1 0 9.0 .500 5.0 1.0 .0 .0 6.0

Playoffs

[edit]
Los Angeles Lakers statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Anthony Davis 21 21 36.6 .571 .383 .832 9.7 3.5 1.2 1.4 27.7
LeBron James 21 21 36.3 .560 .370 .720 10.8 8.8 1.2 .9 27.6
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 21 21 29.0 .418 .378 .815 2.1 1.3 1.0 .2 10.7
Danny Green 21 21 25.0 .347 .339 .667 3.1 1.2 1.0 .8 8.0
Markieff Morris 21 2 18.3 .449 .420 .778 3.0 1.0 .3 .1 5.9
Alex Caruso 21 1 24.3 .425 .279 .800 2.3 2.8 1.1 .6 6.5
Kyle Kuzma 21 0 23.0 .430 .313 .784 3.1 .8 .3 .3 10.0
Dwight Howard 18 7 15.7 .684 .500 .556 4.6 .5 .4 .4 5.8
Rajon Rondo 16 0 24.7 .455 .400 .684 4.3 6.6 1.4 .1 8.9
JaVale McGee 14 11 9.6 .625 .000 .500 3.1 .5 .1 .7 2.9
J. R. Smith 10 0 7.5 .269 .273 .3 .3 .2 .0 2.0
Jared Dudley 9 0 3.4 .000 .000 .2 .0 .4 .1 .0
Quinn Cook 6 0 4.0 .500 .500 1.000 .2 .8 .0 .0 2.2
Dion Waiters 5 0 7.6 .333 .000 1.000 .4 .4 .2 .2 2.0
Talen Horton-Tucker 2 0 8.5 .500 .400 2.5 .0 1.0 .0 7.0
  • Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Lakers only.

Transactions

[edit]

Overview

[edit]
Players Added

Trade

Free agency

Two-way contract

Players Lost

Trade

Free agency

Waived

Trades

[edit]
Three-team trade [45][15][46]
To Los Angeles Lakers
To New Orleans Pelicans
  • Lonzo Ball (from LA Lakers)
  • Josh Hart (from LA Lakers)
  • Brandon Ingram (from LA Lakers)
  • Draft rights to De'Andre Hunter (#4) (from LA Lakers)
  • 2021 LAL protected first-round pick[a] (from LA Lakers)
  • Right to swap first-round picks in 2023[a] (from LA Lakers)
  • 2024 LAL first-round pick[a][b] (from LA Lakers)
  • Cash considerations (from LA Lakers)
  • Cash considerations (from Washington)
To Washington Wizards

Free agency

[edit]

Re-signed

[edit]
Player Signed
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope[20] 2-year contract worth $16.5 million
JaVale McGee[20] 2-year contract worth $8.2 million
Alex Caruso[49] 2-year contract worth $5.5 million
Rajon Rondo[18] 2-year contract worth $5.1 million

Additions

[edit]
Player Signed Former Team
Zach Norvell Jr.[50] Two-way contract Gonzaga Bulldogs
Troy Daniels[51] 1-year contract worth $2 million Phoenix Suns
Jared Dudley[51] 1-year contract worth $2.5 million Brooklyn Nets
Quinn Cook[52] 2-year contract worth $6 million Golden State Warriors
DeMarcus Cousins[52] 1-year contract worth $3.5 million Golden State Warriors
Danny Green[52] 2-year contract worth $30 million Toronto Raptors
Avery Bradley[23] 2-year contract worth $9.7 million Memphis Grizzlies
Talen Horton-Tucker[53] 2-year contract worth $2.4 million Iowa State Cyclones
Kostas Antetokounmpo[54] Two-way contract Dallas Mavericks
Dwight Howard[55] 1-year contract worth $2.6 million Memphis Grizzlies
Devontae Cacok[56] Two-way contract South Bay Lakers
Markieff Morris[57] 1-year contract worth $1.7 million Detroit Pistons
Dion Waiters[58] 1-year contract worth $503,656 Memphis Grizzlies
J.R. Smith[59] Season Restart contract, worth unknown Cleveland Cavaliers

Subtractions

[edit]
Player Reason left New Team
Mike Muscala[60] 1-year contract worth $1.6 million Oklahoma City Thunder
Reggie Bullock[61] 2-year contract worth $8.2 million New York Knicks
Tyson Chandler[62] 1-year contract worth $2.5 million Houston Rockets
Zach Norvell Jr.[63] 10-day contract worth $50,752 Golden State Warriors
DeMarcus Cousins Waived Houston Rockets
Troy Daniels[64] Waived Denver Nuggets

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c New Orleans will receive the pick if it's #1–7, else they will receive the Lakers' 2022 pick.[47]
  2. ^ New Orleans may choose to take the Lakers' 2025 first-round pick instead.[48]
  3. ^ Washington will receive the best of the picks originally belonging to Chicago, Detroit, and the Lakers.[48]

References

[edit]
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  48. ^ a b "Future Traded Pick Details". RealGM. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  49. ^ "Lakers Re-sign Alex Caruso". NBA.com/lakers. July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  50. ^ "Lakers Sign Zach Norvell Jr. to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com/lakers. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  51. ^ a b "Lakers Sign Troy Daniels and Jared Dudley". NBA.com/lakers. July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  52. ^ a b c "Lakers Sign Quinn Cook, DeMarcus Cousins, and Danny Green". NBA.com/lakers. July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  53. ^ "Lakers Sign Talen Horton-Tucker". NBA.com/lakers. July 13, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
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  58. ^ "Lakers Sign Dion Waiters". NBA.com/lakers. March 6, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
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