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The sad reality about the worst signing the Lakers made

By Jason Reed

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka looks on before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on December 21, 2022 in Sacramento, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka looks on before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on December 21, 2022 in Sacramento, California. 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 Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers did not have many resources to work with before the 2022-23 season in order to improve the roster. That is what happens when you trade for a former MVP who is no longer playing at a high level that is also making $47.1 million this season.

All that being said, it also doesn’t help when the front office historically shows a lack of roster building in recent years. When a team has a lack of resources it is imperative that they maximize them as much as possible.

While the Lakers made some good signings last summer, the team also missed the boat on some players who would have been perfect in the purple and gold. Los Angeles also made some bad signings, with several “key” additions being non-factors halfway through the season.

Perhaps the worst of all is Damian Jones, who has logged more DNPs (25) than he has games played. There has to be a back end of the rotation and not every player can be a big contributor but there is something even worse about the Jones signing.

The sad reality about Damian Jones is that the Los Angeles Lakers signed him for two years.

Out of all the minimum players that the Lakers signed this past offseason the one that they were willing to hitch their wagon to and give a multi-year deal was Damian Jones. Jones’ contract is not for a lot in the grand scheme of things but that is still $2.5 million that they cannot spend next season.

That is a roster spot (and salary) the team cannot get back.

Los Angeles could get out of Jones’ deal but it seems unlikely. The team would have to include him in a larger trade as a throw-in or would potentially even have to package a future second-round pick for some other team to absorb his contract. That is a waste of assets for LA.

It should not be a surprise that this has happened with Jones as Rob Pelinka has a horrible track record with centers since taking over the Lakers job. This will just be the start as well. Knowing Pelinka, he will either severely overpay Thomas Bryant when his deal expires after the season or will let him walk. There will not be an in-between.

Fans should not expect there to be any kind of change any time soon. Jones is locked in with the team for the next season and a half to waste a potentially valuable roster spot. Hopefully, Jones can turn it around.

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