2. Taurean Prince
After an improbable run to the Western Conference Finals last season, the Lakers made it a priority to get most of their same group from the 2022-23 season back. Reserves that were further down the bench like Lonnie Walker, Thomas Bryant, and Mo Bamba did not return, but the main core responsible for their playoff run did.
Arguably the biggest free agent pickup LA made last summer was acquiring Taurean Prince. Previously with the Timberwolves, Prince had built a strong reputation as a solid three-and-D guy. He was big for Minnesota as a switchable defender that could shoot the three ball as well as attack closeouts. Getting him in Los Angeles on a one-year, $4.5 million contract was a no-brainer.
The short-term deal made a lot of sense for the Lakers. They would have Prince around for a season to see how he worked with their already-established core. Taurean was clearly far from a failure this season in shooting over 39% from three, but he was perhaps not always utilized correctly.
For around half the season, Head Coach Darvin Ham played Prince at the starting power forward spot, rather than rolling with the more defensive lineup involving Jarred Vanderbilt that brought them so much success the previous season. It was the first time Taurean was in a regular starting role in four seasons.
As such, his effectiveness was not maximized and fans certainly did not seem thrilled with his heavy minutes throughout the season. There is virtually no chance the Lakers opt to re-sign him in the offseason.