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22 Players the Los Angeles Lakers gave up on way too soon

By Tyler Watts

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball during the game against the Miami Heat at Staples Center on February 20, 2021 in Los Angeles, 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass the ball during the game against the Miami Heat at Staples Center on February 20, 2021 in Los Angeles, 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers, Brook Lopez
Los Angeles Lakers, Brook Lopez (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

8. Brook Lopez

Remember when Lopez played for the Lakers? It was only for one season between his stints as a star in Brooklyn and a stellar role player helping Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee. To make matter worse, a key piece of an annual contender was cast aside by LA, who is now a team searching for answers at the five.

The Lakers sent D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Nets for Lopez and a late first-round pick in 2017. LA selected Kyle Kuzma in the draft, and they were hoping to create some cap space. Lopez was on an expiring contract, and the Lakers clearly did not view him as a long-term piece. He averaged the fewest minutes per game of any season where he played at least 15 games as his scoring and rebounding number dipped.

Lopez was frustrated with his playing time in LA, so he departed for Milwaukee in the summer of 2018 where he signed a one-year deal worth $3.3 million.

Brook Lopez helped the Milwaukee Bucks win the championship in 2021, but he could have been in Los Angeles playing next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. His ability to protect the rim and space the floor would be a fantastic fit on the Lakers. Yes, LA won the title in 2020, but Lopez would have helped them compete for the title every year since AD arrived in 2019.

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