Offseason move most likely to come back and haunt the Lakers in 2024-25

The Los Angeles Lakers have progressed through the 2024 NBA offseason with a clear vision in mind. Just 15 months removed from reaching the 2023 Western Conference Finals, the Lakers have hired a new head coach and kept the band together in hopes of building upon past success.

Unfortunately, even the most calculated of offseason plans can lead teams down the wrong path, and Los Angeles could be kicking itself in 2024-25 because of one crucial misfire.

Los Angeles selected Dalton Knecht and Bronny James at the 2024 NBA Draft, and signed Colin Castleton, Blake Hinson, and Armel Traoré to two-way contracts shortly thereafter. It later re-signed Max Christie and LeBron James to multi-year deals, with the latter including a player option for 2025-26.

The biggest mistake that Pelinka made this offseason, however, was the deal he didn't make—specifically the potential loss of depth at a position that may soon be devoid of it.

Los Angeles has intriguing players at all five positions, with Max Christie, Austin Reaves, D'Angelo Russell, and Gabe Vincent starting that push in the backcourt. Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Dalton Knecht, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Christian Wood form an intriguing frontcourt, as well.

The Lakers are actively attempting to trade Russell, however, and that makes the decision to watch as Tyus Jones signed with a division rival borderline unforgivable.

Lakers made huge Tyus Jones mistake

Jones was generally perceived as a player who would fall just beyond the Lakers' price range. It was enticing to consider the possibility of creating the taxpayer mid-level exception and offering him a first-year salary of $5.168 million.

The issue that most envisioned, however, was that Jones would prefer a multi-year deal that could see him gain more job and financial security.

Instead, Jones signed a one-year deal worth just over $3 million with the Phoenix Suns. It was perhaps the most devastating blow of the offseason thus far, as it offered confirmation that the Lakers could've signed him at a bargain of a price.

With Jones now headed to a conference rival with a similar roster situation and championship ambitions, the Lakers are back to the long-term drawing board at the point guard position.

Jones is one of the most efficient playmakers in the NBA. He finished the 2023-24 season averaging 12.0 points, 7.3 assists, and 1.6 three-point field goals made on .489/.414/.800 shooting—and has only once averaged at least 1.0 turnover per game through nine professional seasons.

That type of value could've been essential to bridging the gap between Russell starting at point guard in 2024-25 and moving forward as soon as next offseason.

Perhaps the Lakers will trade Russell for the point guard of the future or find a way to sign the ideal fit as soon as next summer. Even if that were to transpire, missing out on a player of Jones' caliber at just $3 million for the 2024-25 season is a shining example of how close Los Angeles has been to improvement—and how it continues to rely on trades that hurt as well as help when it attempts to resolve an issue.

The current roster is better than what it showed in 2023-24, but when teams pass up on affordable options for improvement, one can't help but wonder how determined they are to win in the short-term.