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3 Lakers that could get axed from Darvin Ham’s playoff rotation

By Jason Reed

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 02: Darvin Ham the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 02, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 02: Darvin Ham the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 02, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Lonnie Walker IV Lakers
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Lonnie Walker IV Lakers /

1. Lonnie Walker IV

Lonnie Walker IV started the season hot with the Los Angeles Lakers. Walker was putting together the best individual season of his career and he quickly became a favorite for Lakers fans, who were calling for him to be re-signed after the 2022-23 season.

However, we here at Lake Show Life saw that Walker’s individual numbers were not helping the team’s success. He was appalling on the defensive end and as a result, the Lakers’ numbers when he was on the court were significantly worse.

Fans have started to come around on the idea of Walker not being the best option to get big minutes in Los Angeles, especially with all of the newfound depth on the roster. Walker is playing right now but once the team is fully healthy it is hard to see him getting any minutes.

The former Spur already saw his minutes get slashed this season and only started getting more playing time when LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell went down with injury. Once those two return Walker will be out of the rotation, especially with how well Troy Brown Jr. is playing.

The Lakers’ net rating is 9.5 points worse when Walker is on the court versus when he is off the court, which is by far the worst mark of anyone on the team. For comparison, the next worst rotation player is Mo Bamba at -3.5.

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A 9.5 net rating difference is a bigger difference than the top team in the NBA this season by net rating (Cleveland Cavaliers, +5.7) and the 26th-ranked team (Orlando Magic, -2.9). That is how big of a negative impact Walker has.

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