WELCOME TO EPISODE ONE OF THE LAKERS REBUILD SERIES.
Sunday, June 12th, and the sports world has just heard not one but two shocking Lakers news. ‘BREAKING NEWS’ “This just in, Carmelo Anthony, a 10x All-Star and 6x All-NBA player, has announced his retirement at 38. During his nineteen years long career, Melo played for six different organizations, most recently being the Los Angeles Lakers.” ‘BREAKING NEWS’ “Following the retirement of Carmelo Anthony, the Lakers have announced their next head coach will be Quin Snyder. Recently, being the Utah Jazz’s head coach, Snyder led the Jazz to six straight playoff appearances but was fired in late May. The deal is reportedly a four-year deal with a team option in the 24-25 NBA season.”
Thursday, June 23rd, the 76th annual NBA Draft, curiosity spreads among Lakers fans on if they’ll move into the draft. At pick 26, the Mavericks were on the clock, and the Lakers’ guy was there. Benedict Mathurin. Mathurin had fallen far more than expected, and LA wanted to get one of the top prospects in the draft, and that’s what they did. THT and Chicago’s 2023 second-round pick was traded for Dwight Powell and pick 26. At 26, the Lakers took Mathurin, who would be their only pick of the night. For everyone wondering what happened to the Lakers’ pick, it turned out to be the first pick of the draft, Paulo Banchero.
We bring back Howard, Monk, Reaves, McClung, and Jones, all on minimum contracts at the resigning period. During Free Agency, we bring in Julian Champagnie and Zach Edey on minimum contracts as undrafted free agents. Just days before Training Camps began, we finally traded Westbrook as the Rockets traded John Wall and Christian Wood to the Lakers for Russell Westbrook, Kendrick Nunn, a 2026 1st round pick, a 2027 2nd round pick, a 2028 2nd round pick, and a 2029 2nd round pick.
The preseason/training camps were a success as we saw many guys show improvement and potential. Our opening night roster is released, and the starting lineup consists of LeBron, AD, Wood, Wall, and Mathurin. The bench will be Powell, Monk, Edey, Reaves, Johnson, and Howard. The first game of the season is against the Hawks at home. We take the win 123-101 as Lebron had 39, and AD had 29 and 17. The next night in Atlanta, Christian Wood hit a game-winning layup.
At the trade deadline, we’re 39-11. Far above expectations, but the NBA is finally getting to see a healthy LeBron and AD duo. The bench isn’t doing much, but our starters are making up for that. Both John Wall and Christian Wood are averaging a double-double with over 18 points. We make no moves are made at the deadline. We get three all-stars in Lebron, AD, and Wall, but in the ASG, Anthony Davis fractures his hand putting him out for the rest of the regular season. Lebron won the MVP of the all-star game with 25-5-4.
We finish the season with a record of 63-19. In the first round, we face the 39-43 Kings. Kings fans are rejoicing around the world, but we sweep them. The second round consists of a well-balanced team in the Jazz, who dealt with injuries all season. Yet again, we give them a nice sweep. In the WCF, we have New Orleans, a seven-seed, who battled their way here. We split the first six games, taking it to a game seven. Despite early struggles, we win 112-99 to go to the NBA Finals. In the Finals, we get the 76ers, who haven’t done anything since last year. Game one is a Lakers blowout 125-105 as we dished out 34 assists! Game two is the Ben Simmons James Harden sellout Suns game as he shoots 8/32 and 3/17 as we win 117-100. Game three is a double-overtime thriller, but yet again, we win. Game four Philly takes 136-122 despite Lebrons 48. Game five is a win, 125-117, and just like that, the LA Lakers are the Champions of the world. Lebron wins FMVP and regular-season MVP.
Thank You for everything, peace.