Biggest winners and losers from the Los Angeles Lakers preseason

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 06: Matt Ryan #37 of the Los Angeles Lakers is greeted by fans as he takes the court for warmups before a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at T-Mobile Arena on October 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 114-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 06: Matt Ryan #37 of the Los Angeles Lakers is greeted by fans as he takes the court for warmups before a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at T-Mobile Arena on October 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 114-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Loser: Lakers fans

The biggest loser of the Lakers preseason is the fans themselves. The fans did nothing to deserve this but this is the reality that the organization has presented. It doesn’t feel like a great time to be a Lakers fan, which is incredible considering this team has LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the roster.

The last few years have felt like nothing but missed opportunities for the Lakers. After winning the NBA Championship in 2020 Rob Pelinka has done everything to strip the team of what made them a contender in the first place.

It really feels like the Lakers stumbled into a title thanks to LeBron and AD as the front office has done nothing to improve the team since. The 2019-20 Lakers would mop the floor with the 2022-23 Lakers and that kind of regression simply should not happen.

Sure, the preseason games don’t count but there are still plenty of reasons to worry. This team has done nothing to instill confidence in its loyal fanbase and at this point, another disappointing season in which the team misses the playoffs altogether seems like the most likely outcome.

Fans were excited to see the purple and gold back in action and after seeing six games, most fans probably wish that the offseason would last a bit longer.