The Los Angeles Lakers: A Team Without an Identity

The Los Angeles Lakers finished with a winning record for the first time since 2008-09. LeBron James and Anthony Davis suffered injuries that caused them to miss large portions of the season. Rob Palinka reshaped the roster mid-season, bringing in D'Angelo Russell as well as Roy Hatchimura and Malik Beasley. After beating second-seeded Memphis in the first round, Los Angeles then dethroned the defending champion warriors in six games. Their late season resurgence came to a halt, getting swept by the top-seeded Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals,. however, short of their championship aspirations.