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3 surprising Lakers who won’t last all of 2023 in LA

By Jason Reed

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center on December 27, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 27: Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center on December 27, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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The calendar year has officially turned out, representing a fresh start full of goals and resolutions. Unfortunately for the Los Angeles Lakers, January 1 does not simply wipe out the team’s poor record and even worse situation.

Los Angeles enters 2023 with a 15-21 record and will be without Anthony Davis for at least a few more weeks. Things will likely get worse before they get better and it is fair to write the team off as it pertains to this season.

Lakers fans may already be looking ahead to the future and when we take this long-term view, we can start to piece together which players will last all 12 months in Los Angeles and which will be wearing a new uniform on New Year’s Eve.

We know the obvious players — Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley and Kendrick Nunn — but what about the surprising ones?

3 surprising Lakers who won’t last all of 2023 in LA:

1. Lonnie Walker IV

Lonnie Walker IV has seemingly been the best feel-good story for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. While Walker has had moments of absolute brilliance, he has become the most overrated player in Los Angeles this season.

Walker’s basic box-score numbers are promising but the fact of the matter is that the Lakers are better when he is not on the court. The team’s net rating is 7.1 points worse when Walker is on the court this season. That is the worst on/off net rating difference on the entire team.

That being said, his basic box-score numbers and improvement will likely get him paid and the Lakers’ front office won’t get into a bidding war for him. Instead, the team will simply turn to the MLE market and see who they can unlock again like they seemingly did with Walker and Malik Monk.

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