2019–20 Los Angeles Lakers season

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 Lakers played their home games at Staples Center as members of the Western Conference's Pacific Division. The Lakers had the third best team defensive rating in the NBA.[1]

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
Record5219 (.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)

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.[2] On July 5, the NBA announced a return of the season in the NBA Bubble, with 22 teams playing 8 seeding games followed by a full postseason.[3] Play resumed on July 30 with all games being played in Orlando, Florida,[4] and on August 3, the Lakers clinched both their first Pacific Division title since 2012 and the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs for the first time since the 2009–10 season.

The Lakers finished the season 52–19, with a winning percentage equal to 60 games in a full 82-game season. They defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, and Denver Nuggets each in five games to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. There they defeated the Miami Heat (LeBron James' former team) in six games to earn the franchise's 17th NBA championship, tying them with the Boston Celtics for the most of any NBA franchise. The team dedicated the season and the Finals win to Kobe Bryant who was killed in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020.

Previous season

The Lakers finished the 2018–19 season 37–45 to finish in fourth place in the Pacific Division and failing to qualify for the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year. Following the season, Magic Johnson stepped down as president of basketball operations. On April 12, 2019, head coach Luke Walton and the team agreed to part ways. On May 11, the Lakers hired Frank Vogel as head coach. The season marked the first time since 2005 that LeBron James did not appear in the playoffs and first time since 2010 that he missed the Finals.

Offseason

Front office and coaching changes

On April 9, 2019, Magic Johnson stepped down as president of basketball operations.[5] Three days after that, Luke Walton and the team agreed to part ways.[6] On May 13, the team hired Frank Vogel as their new head coach[7] and Jason Kidd was named an assistant coach.[8]

Draft

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

The Lakers held one first round draft pick for the 2019 NBA Draft.[9][10] 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.[11][12] 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.[13] On June 15, the Lakers agreed to a trade that would 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.[14]

Trades

On June 15, 2019, the Lakers agreed to a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans to acquire six-time NBA All-Star power forward Anthony Davis, though the deal would not take full effect until July 6.[14] 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.[15]

Free agents

During the offseason, the Lakers were able to re-sign G Rajon Rondo, G Alex Caruso, G/F Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and C JaVale McGee. The Lakers also signed several veteran free agents to compliment James and Davis: G/F Danny Green, G Avery Bradley and C Dwight Howard were among the most notable acquisitions.

Preseason

Game log

2019 preseason game log
Total: 3–3 (Home: 2–2; Road: 1–1)
Preseason: 3–3 (home: 2–2; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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

[16]

Regular season

Division

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

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

2019–20 game log
Total: 52–19 (Home: 25–10; Road: 27–9)
October: 3–1 (home: 3–0; road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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).[17][18]
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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

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 [19] after it was reported that Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for COVID-19.[20] Two unidentified players of the Lakers would later test positive for COVID-19 on March 19.[21] The season resumed, but Avery Bradley opted out of playing in the restart to remain with his family due to his oldest child, who had a history of struggling to recover from respiratory illnesses.[22] The Lakers replaced him on the roster with J. R. Smith, reuniting him with LeBron whom he won a championship with in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.[23]

Death of Kobe Bryant

On January 26, 2020, tragedy struck the Lakers organization when former All-Star guard Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash that also claimed the lives of his daughter Gianna "Gigi" Bryant and seven other passengers. Bryant was 41 at the time of his death, and Gigi was 13. This prompted the Lakers to dedicate the rest of their season to his memory.[24][25][26][27]

Playoffs

Game log

2020 playoff game log
Total: 16–5 (Home: 9–3; Road: 7–2)
First Round: 4–1 (home: 2–1; road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
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.[28]

Playoff notes

In the NBA playoffs, the Lakers faced off against the eight-seed Portland Trail Blazers in the first round and won the series in 5 games. In Western Conference semi-finals, they faced off against the fourth seed Houston Rockets, again winning in five games. They advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2010, where they faced and defeated the Denver Nuggets in five games. They reached the NBA Finals for the first time in a decade, where they faced off the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat, marking the first meeting between the two teams in the NBA Finals. The Lakers won the series in 6 games, winning the championship for the first time since the 2010 season. They became the first team since the 2007–08 Boston Celtics to go directly from a non-playoff season to a championship. This championship win also saw the Lakers tie the Celtics with the highest number of NBA championship wins at 17.[29][30] 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 (two with the Heat, one with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and one with the Lakers) and he and Danny Green became the third and fourth players to win the NBA Finals with three different teams.[31] Lakers president Jeanie Buss became the first female controlling owner to guide her team to an NBA title.[32][33]

Roster

2019–20 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
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 (C) 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 (C) 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 (C) 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
  • (C) Team captain
  • (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

Transactions

Overview

Players Added

Trade

Free agency

Two-way contract

Players Lost

Trade

Free agency

Waived

Trades

Three-team trade [34][35][36]
To Los Angeles Lakers
To New Orleans Pelicans
To Washington Wizards

Re-signed

Player Signed
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope[39] 2-year contract worth $16.5 million
JaVale McGee[39] 2-year contract worth $8.2 million
Alex Caruso[40] 2-year contract worth $5.5 million
Rajon Rondo[41] 2-year contract worth $5.1 million

Additions

Player Signed Former Team
Zach Norvell Jr.[42] Two-way contract Gonzaga Bulldogs
Troy Daniels[43] 1-year contract worth $2 million Phoenix Suns
Jared Dudley[43] 1-year contract worth $2.5 million Brooklyn Nets
Quinn Cook[44] 2-year contract worth $6 million Golden State Warriors
DeMarcus Cousins[44] 1-year contract worth $3.5 million Golden State Warriors
Danny Green[44] 2-year contract worth $30 million Toronto Raptors
Avery Bradley[45] 2-year contract worth $9.7 million Memphis Grizzlies
Talen Horton-Tucker[46] 2-year contract worth $2.4 million Iowa State Cyclones
Kostas Antetokounmpo[47] Two-way contract Dallas Mavericks
Dwight Howard[48] 1-year contract worth $2.6 million Memphis Grizzlies
Devontae Cacok[49] Two-way contract South Bay Lakers
Markieff Morris[50] 1-year contract worth $1.7 million Detroit Pistons
Dion Waiters[51] 1-year contract worth $503,656 Memphis Grizzlies
J.R. Smith[52] Season Restart contract, worth unknown Cleveland Cavaliers

Subtractions

Player Reason left New Team
Mike Muscala[53] 1-year contract worth $1.6 million Oklahoma City Thunder
Reggie Bullock[54] 2-year contract worth $8.2 million New York Knicks
Tyson Chandler[55] 1-year contract worth $2.5 million Houston Rockets
Zach Norvell Jr.[56] 10-day contract worth $50,752 Golden State Warriors
DeMarcus Cousins Waived Houston Rockets
Troy Daniels[57] Waived Denver Nuggets

Notes

  1. New Orleans will receive the pick if it's #1–7, else they will receive the Lakers' 2022 pick.[37]
  2. New Orleans may choose to take the Lakers' 2025 first-round pick instead.[38]
  3. Washington will receive the best of the picks originally belonging to Chicago, Detroit, and the Lakers.[38]

References

  1. "Teams Defense". NBA.com. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  2. Aschburner, Steve. "Coronavirus pandemic causes NBA to suspend season after player tests positive". NBA.com. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  3. "What we know and don't know about the NBA's return to play". ESPN.com. June 5, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  4. Blumenthal, Eli. "NBA restart: Everything you need to know about basketball's 2020 return". CNET. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  5. "Magic Johnson steps down as Lakers' president of basketball operations".
  6. "Los Angeles Lakers and Luke Walton Mutually Agree to Part Ways". NBA.com. April 12, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  7. "Lakers Announce Hiring of Frank Vogel as Head Coach". NBA.com. May 13, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  8. "Frank Vogel reaches deal to be Lakers' new head coach, Jason Kidd joins staff". USA Today.
  9. "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.
  10. "Full 2019 NBA Draft Order". tankathon.com. Archived from the original on May 15, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  11. "Lakers Acquire Isaac Bonga in Trade with Philadelphia". NBA.com. July 6, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  12. "Cavaliers Complete Trade with Atlanta". NBA.com. October 14, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  13. Goldich, Mitch (May 15, 2019). "Don't Be a Fool: Tanking Is Not Dead". SI.com. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  14. "Sources: Lakers reach deal for Pelicans' Davis". November 13, 2019.
  15. "As Lakers Clear Cap Space, Wizards Receive Wagner, Bonga, Jones in Trade". Forbes.
  16. "Lakers Announce 2019–20 Preseason Schedule Presented by Delta Air Lines". NBA.com/Lakers. May 30, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  17. "NBA reschedules postponed Lakers, Clippers game for April 9 at Staples Center".
  18. "Lakers vs. Clippers game postponed". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  19. "NBA to suspend season following Wednesday's games". NBA.com. March 11, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  20. Reynolds, Tim (March 11, 2020). "Jazz stars Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert test positive for coronavirus". NBA.com. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  21. "Statement From the Los Angeles Lakers". NBA.com. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  22. Wojnarowski, Adrian (July 24, 2020). "Lakers' Avery Bradley opts out of NBA restart, cites family concerns". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  23. Ganguli, Tania; Turner, Broderick (July 1, 2020). "Lakers sign J.R. Smith to replace Avery Bradley". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  24. "A sweet Lakers championship in the most bitter of years". Los Angeles Times. October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  25. Allen Kim and Saba Hamedy. "Today is Kobe Bryant Day. Here's how people are remembering the Lakers legend". CNN. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  26. Jackson, Jon (October 8, 2020). "Lakers look to win championship in Kobe uniforms that are sold out—for now". Newsweek. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  27. Harris, Beth; Beacham, Greg (February 1, 2020). "Lakers commemorate Kobe Bryant before losing 127-119 to Blazers". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  28. "Three Game 5s set for Wednesday postponed after Bucks' decision to not take floor". ESPN.com. August 27, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  29. Wimbish, Jasmyn (October 12, 2020). "Lakers tie Celtics for NBA record 17th championship after closing out Heat in Game 6 of Finals". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  30. McMenamin, Dave (October 11, 2020). "Los Angeles Lakers lean on defense in dominant Game 6 win vs. Miami Heat, claim first NBA title in a decade". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  31. "LeBron James Becomes 4th Player To Win NBA Championship With 3 Different Teams". NPR. October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  32. Negley, Cassandra (October 12, 2020). "Lakers' Jeanie Buss becomes first female controlling owner to win championship". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  33. Plaschke, Bill (October 11, 2020). "Kobe Bryant's spirit is present in Lakers' NBA championship triumph". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  34. "Lakers Acquire Anthony Davis". NBA.com. July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  35. "Pelicans complete three-team trade with Lakers, Wizards". NBA.com. July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  36. "Wizards acquire Wagner, Jones and Bonga from Lakers". NBA.com. July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  37. Merchant, Sabreena (July 6, 2019). "The Lakers have officially traded for Anthony Davis, and now their path forward is clear". SBNation. Vox Media. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  38. "Future Traded Pick Details". RealGM. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  39. "Lakers Re-Sign Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and JaVale McGee". NBA.com/lakers. July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  40. "Lakers Re-sign Alex Caruso". NBA.com/lakers. July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  41. "Lakers Re-Sign Rajon Rondo". NBA.com/lakers. July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  42. "Lakers Sign Zach Norvell Jr. to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com/lakers. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  43. "Lakers Sign Troy Daniels and Jared Dudley". NBA.com/lakers. July 7, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  44. "Lakers Sign Quinn Cook, DeMarcus Cousins, and Danny Green". NBA.com/lakers. July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
  45. "Lakers Sign Avery Bradley". NBA.com/lakers. July 8, 2019. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
  46. "Lakers Sign Talen Horton-Tucker". NBA.com/lakers. July 13, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  47. "Lakers Awarded Kostas Antetokounmpo on Waiver Claim". NBA.com/lakers. July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  48. "Lakers Sign Dwight Howard". NBA.com/lakers. August 26, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  49. "Lakers Sign Devontae Cacok to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com/lakers. December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  50. "Lakers Sign Markieff Morris". NBA.com/lakers. February 23, 2020. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  51. "Lakers Sign Dion Waiters". NBA.com/lakers. March 6, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  52. Wojnarowski, Adrian (July 1, 2020). "JR Smith signs with Lakers for rest of season". Disney Publishing Worldwide. ESPN. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  53. "Thunder Signs Mike Muscala". NBA.com/thunder. July 10, 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  54. "New York Knicks Sign Reggie Bullock and Marcus Morris". NBA.com/knicks. July 16, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  55. "Rockets Sign Free Agent Tyson Chandler". NBA.com/rockets. July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  56. "Warriors Sign Guards Zach Norvell Jr. and Jeremy Pargo to 10-Day Contracts". NBA.com/warriors. February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  57. "Lakers Waive Troy Daniels". NBA.com/lakers. March 1, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.