Lakers all-time starting 5: Players who never reached playoffs in LA
By Tyler Watts
C: Brook Lopez
The Lakers traded for Lopez in 2017 in a deal that brought Kyle Kuzma to LA for D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov. It was a salary dump for the Lakers as the seven-footer was in the final year of his contract. They had missed the playoffs four straight years, and Lopez was clearly not part of the team’s long-term future.
Splash Mountain averaged a career-low in minutes per game during his lone season in LA, and he felt like an afterthought on a team that won just 35 games. Lopez grew frustrated with his playing time and role, which made him quick to depart in free agency.
Brook Lopez was an All-Star in Brooklyn and has been a key piece for the Milwaukee Bucks for five straight years. He helped them win the championship in 2021, and they have been a threat every year since his arrival. Lopez would be a fantastic answer to the team’s center woes playing next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but the Lakers were quick to cast him aside after acquiring him.
Next. 22 players the Lakers gave up on too soon. dark
The Los Angeles Lakers want nothing more than to compete for a championship every year. They are built on success, but several talented players have failed to qualify for the playoffs during their time in LA. Who will be the next name to join this list? Stay tuned to find out.