5 players the Los Angeles Lakers should have never given up on

By Jason Reed | Nov 16, 2022

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls talks with Alex Caruso #6 against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at United Center on November 07, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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2. JaVale McGee

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t just give up on JaVale McGee, they literally gave him away for free. In fact, the Lakers didn’t even give McGee away for free as the team had to pay to get him off of the roster to make an ill-advised move.

McGee was traded alongside a second-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for non-guaranteed contracts in return. The Lakers did this so they could free up the space to sign Marc Gasol, who they viewed as an upgrade over McGee even though Gasol looked horrible in the Orlando bubble.

It is not like McGee was going to make or break a title run and that he was the main difference in the team winning it all. In fact, he did not even have much of a role during the playoffs, as the few number of center minutes went to Dwight Howard.

But the fact remains that McGee is still in the league and has been productive for the last three years away from Los Angeles while Marc Gasol lasted just one season. Then, the Lakers had to trade another second-round pick just to get Gasol off the books because they didn’t want him anymore, either!

We are seeing Anthony Davis (literally) breaking his back every night at the five because the Lakers have thin depth at the position. Would McGee have lasted this long in LA? Who knows. Could he have helped keep AD healthy in the 2020-21 season because he is an actual center who can be productive? Probably.

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