4th Quarter - End of Regulation

And then there were none.

82 games down....16 wins to go.

This season has been a rollercoaster, from the lows of of going 13-12 (.520) over the first 25 games to the highs of going 18-7 (.720) over the next 25 to and 14-11 over the final 25. This team has never been "bad", but we really don't know just how "good" they really are. As with most seasons in the NBA, it may just come down to matchups.

The Skinny

Overall Team Grade: B+

PTS: 113.4 (19th), Opp PTS: 112.2 (10th), Off Rtg: 115.9 (12th), Def Rtg: 114.7 (15th), .479 FG% (9th), .366 3P% (10th)

The Lakers started the season kinda "meh" but finished as a quality Western Conference squad that has at least a puncher's chance at beating any of the Western Conference playoff teams. Frankly, the defense sucked, but they really turned it around starting in December. Not surprisingly, their offense benefitted as well. Picking up Luka didn't hurt!

Defense has dropped off a bit recently, which is a concern - the Lakers probably aren't winning too many games where they have to score 115+, so they need to keep the score low and the game tight; then they can close teams out in crunch time.

The Lakers also need to keep shooting good 3s - we've seen situations where they settle for open shots, but they're not always good open shots. Their 3PT percentage is actually pretty good - they can do real damage when they're getting quality looks.

Rookie head coach JJ Reddick had his own ups and downs, as do most rookies. Still, he seems to learn well on the job and usually has the team ready to play. I'm still a little concerned about in-game and, by extension, in-series adjustments, but we'll just have to cross that bridge when we get to it.

Player Grades:

Slight change, I'm only evaluating guys on the roster at the end of the season, even if they didn't play the entire year here. Not covering guys traded away. Also added "+" and "-" to letter grades. As always, my grading scale is:

A - best of the best of the best (top 10-12 overall)

B - quality NBA starter

C - shortened bench/8-man rotation

D - end of bench/match-ups

F - Luol Deng*

Luka Doncic (B+) - 35 MP, .438 FG%, .379 3PT%, .530 eFG%, 8.1 TRB, 7.5 AST, 1.6 STL, .4 BLK, 28.2 PTS, 116 ORtg, 112 DRtg (as a Laker)

Small sample size and injury recovery hampered Doncic's Laker run this season. He still played well, but he wasn't the "Luka" we've come to expect. This may continue into the playoffs, but not at all concerned about it being a long-term issue. He's still getting to his spots. He's still getting separation. He's still making insane passes. I expect him to be in MVP contention next season.

LeBron James (B+) - 34.9 MP, .513 FG%, .376 3PT%, .571 eFG%, 7.8 TRB, 8.2 AST, 1 STL, .6 BLK, 24.4 PTS, 117 ORtg, 114 DRtg

One of the toughest players to grade - when he's "on", he's probably still a top 10-12 player. But when he's off, he looks every bit of 40. He also has to pace himself during the regular season now, and you can see as much in his monthly splits - usage and both offensive and defensive rtgs are down, but they gradually pick up after about 25 or 30 games. I don't think any of us would disagree with this approach. One thing that really stands out is how his usage rate dropped when the Lakers got Luka - that confirms what we've all suspected...he wants to give up the ball, but just hasn't had anybody he trusts to give it up to. Until now. I expect to see him increase the intensity level during the playoffs, but next season should be the Luka Show until Feb or maybe even March. I don't think any of us would disagree with that either!

Austin Reaves (B) - 34.9 MP, .460 FG%, .377 3PT%, .556 eFG%, 4.5 TRB, 5.8 AST, 1.1 STL, .3 BLK, 20.2 PTS, 122 ORtg, 117 DRtg

Not-so-humble flex: I picked Austin Reaves to be the most improved Laker before the season started. There was a point when it looked like Max Christie might take the honors, but he really stepped it up over the last 20 games or so, averaging 23.3 ppg on 49% from the field and .41% from behind the arc. Reaves is a quality NBA player who could start on most teams and be a super-sub/6MOY on deeper contenders. Statistically speaking, Reaves is actually down in some areas from previous years, but he's up in the most important one - his usage rate (23.7%) is that of an NBA starter. That means teams know he's getting the ball and are actively game planning against him. For him to improve in FGA, 3PA, FTA, and FT% is a testament to how much he's improved as a player. He's even got his 3 PT volume up to where it needs to be for a modern wing player - 7.3 attempts per game. The Lakers were wise to not include him in the Luka trade, but may need to rethink that position if they have trouble filling holes in the offseason - with Reaves' age and salary hit, he's almost certain to command a nice haul in trade. And no, I'm NOT saying the Lakers should trade Reaves, just that he is, by far, their most valuable trade piece.

Rui Hachimura (C+) - 31.7 MP, .509 FG%, .413 3PT%, .597 eFG%, 5 TRB, 1.4 AST, .8 STL, .4 BLK, 13.1 PTS, 123 ORtg, 117 DRtg

I've been a bit critical of Rui in the past because he has the size and offensive bag to be an above-average NBA starter. But he isn't. He seems to disappear at times and just doesn't "command" the ball. He's also struggled a bit on the defensive end. That said, he availed himself of this, his second (and probably last) opportunity to be an NBA starter and has played well. Enough. He needs to keep up his work on the defensive end - he's not locking anybody down, but he's moving his feet and hands and making guys work for their shots and that's good enough. I'd also like to see more 3PA (5.6), which should happen after spending a full camp with Luka/Lebron/Austin. Each of those guys can create looks for Rui...he just has to step it up and take them.

Dorian Finney-Smith (C) - 28.8 MP, .442 FG%, .398 3PT%, .591 eFG%, 3.6 TRB, 1.4 AST, .9 STL, .3 BLK, 7.9 PTS, 116 ORtg, 117 DRtg

I'm a huge fan of Dorian Finney-Smith. No, he's not going to win you many games. But he's also not going to lose you many either. Just a solid performer and pro's pro - perfect guy to bring off the bench. I feel like guys like this are criminally underappreciated, especially by fans. If you have 3-4 guys on your roster in that $13-18m range who can give you 25+ MPG, you have a pretty deep roster. Can't see him declining his player option this offseason, so he should be back next season. The Lakers may be tempted to move his expiring contract, but should have his Bird Rights from BRK - imho, it would be in their interest to bring him back for another 2-3 year deal.

Gabe Vincent (C) - 21.2 MP, .400 FG%, .353 3P%, .530 eFG%, 1.3 TRB, 1.4 AST, .7 STL, .2 BLK, 6.4 PTS

When Vincent went down last year, I thought the Lakers might have just "lost" an MLE. When he came back this season, I was convinced. But it seems it takes time to recover after missing so many games (who knew?), because Vincent has really stepped it up after a slow start. Looking at his monthly splits, we can see improvement in nearly every statistical category over the course of the season (small sample size in April notwithstanding). The one big concern is that defensive rating suffered quite a bit when his minutes went up. Could be an issue if he makes a shortened bench/rotation.

Jaxson Hayes (C-) - 19.5 MP, .722 FG%, .000 3 PT%, .722 eFG%, 4.8 TRB, 1 AST, .9 BLK, 6.8 PTS, 135 ORtg, 112 DRtg

Jaxson Hayes is really good on the PNR. But that's about it. He's actually played pretty well, but is only starting because the Lakers have no other options, and has to sit in a lot of situations (hence the "small ball" lineups we all love!). He's a free agent this offseason and I don't believe the Lakers have his Bird Rights, meaning they'd have to use their limited cap space to sign him. I wouldn't be mad at him for chasing a bigger payday, but don't think the Lakers should make much effort to match, unless maybe they simply have no other choices.

Jarred Vanderbilt (C-) - 16.1 MP, .488 FG%, .281 3P%, .525 eFG%, 5.1 TRB, 1.1 AST, 1 STL, .3 BLK, 4.1 PTS, 115 ORtg, 110 DRtg

I don't think it's hyperbole to suggest that Jarred Vanderbilt is one of the 5 best on-ball defenders in the league. He's also a solid rebounder and sneaky good passer. But, like, Jaxon Hayes, he has to sit in a lot of situations due to a limited overall game. That's a euphemism for "liability on offense". Other teams simply don't respect Vanderbilt - they cheat/double off him and give him wide open looks. He has to take those shots (took me years to understand why), but, if he can't hit them, he has to sit. I'm not suggesting that he turn into a sharpshooter, but he has to be able to shoot .340-.350 on 2-3 attempts per game to keep teams honest. I wish somebody could Bootney Farnsworth him, because he'd be MONEY.

Dalton Knecht (D+) - 19.2 MP, .461 FG%, .376 3P%, .576 eFG%, 2.8 TRB, .8 AST, .3 STL, .1 BLK, 9.1 PTS, 117 ORtg, 118 DRtg

Huge fan of Knect as well, but he's such a rookie - looking pretty good and pretty bad (sometimes simultaneously). Still, there's a lot to like about him: he's long, athletic, is a pure shooter and has no conscience. Here's another guy who's far too overlooked imho - the "if he were better he would have left college early" guy. That's crazy - he started 79 games, was a major conference POY, a Naismith Finalist, and pretty much consensus All America but fell to17th overall. Oh well, other teams' loss is the Lakers' gain - he's played more minutes than 11 of the guys drafted ahead of him and has appeared in the 6th most games of his draft class. The Lakers should prioritize guys like this with later 1sts and 2nds whenever possible - you have enough data to know whether they can play at this level or not. Would love if he could break into the rotation next season, but no rush at all.

Jordan Goodwin (D) - 18.7 MP, .438 FG%, .382 3P%, .528 eFG%, 3.9 TRB, 1.4 AST, 1 STL, .4 BLK, 5.6 PTS, 111 ORtg, 112 DRtg

Very pleasant surprise who seemed to come out of nowhere yet still contribute. Solid point of attack defender, who is shooting well from beyond the arc. It remains to be seen if he can be a contributor in the playoffs, but I think the Lakers made a good choice in offering him a contract and look forward to seeing if he can break into the regular rotation next season.

Shake Milton (D-) - 11.5 MP, .433 FG%, .294 3P%, .485 eFG%, 1.8 TRB, 1.3 AST, .3 STL, .1 BLK, 3.9 PTS, 109 ORtg, 117 DRtg

I kinda-sorta remembered Shake from Philly as a "doesn't suck" rotation guy. I had no idea how much he's fallen off. Was it an injury? At any rate, he has been a "throw-in" guy in LA and hasn't really shown any indication that he'll return to form. He still has 2 more years on his contract but it's only about $6.3M guaranteed...hopefully the Lakers can throw him into another deal this offseason.

Christian Koloko (D-) - 9.2 MP, .606 FG%, .000 3P%, .606 eFG%, 2.5 TRB, .4 AST, .2 STL, .4 BLK, 2.5 PTS, 128 ORtg, 113 Rtg

Not mad at Koloko, but he's kinduva Jaxson Hayes-lite. If the Lakers were in a crunch, I think they could make due with Koloko for 15-18 MP, but he's fine as a two-way player. He missed all of the previous season with a health issue - he seems to be fully recovered, so maybe he can work on some things in the off season. Still, he was only "meh" in college, so we probably can't expect too much from him at this level.

Trey Jemison (D-) - 10.3 MP, .619 FG%, .000 3 PT%, .619 eFG, 2.8 TRB, .3 AST, .1 STL, .4 BLK, 2.6 PTS, 108 ORtg, 115 DRtg

Like Koloko, I'm not mad at Jemison, but he's just barely good enough to play in the NBA. Like Koloko, the Lakers could probably make due with Jemison at 15-18 MP, but, like Koloko, he's also fine as a two-way player. Also, like Koloko, he wasn't a great college player...he just is what he is.

Bronny James (F) - 6.7 MP, .313 FG%, .281 3P%, .381 eFG%, .7 TRB, .8 AST, .3 STL, .1 BLK, 2.3 PTS, 89 ORtg, 115 DRtg

I know some will think I'm dumping on Bronny because of who he is. Others will suggest I'm complaining about a meaningless pick. I'm not. The reality is that he isn't an NBA player right now. Maybe he can be someday, but not today. I know there are things you can pick up in practice and by being around NBA players, but I think he's best served playing as many G-League games as he can. Now I'm gonna Forrest Gump the topic.

Alex Len & Markieff Morris (F)

Not even gonna bother with their numbers. In their defense, the Lakers pulled Len off his couch and Morris was just a throw-in guy.

Maxi Kleber (Incomplete)

I keep forgetting he's even on the team. That's not good. Still, he's been a functional stretch big in his career, so who knows?

What's Up Next:

• The real fun begins! Lakers take on a Timberwolves team that managed to win 49 games despite underachieving for most of the year. The key is to contain the help and induce Edwards into "hero ball" - he's good, but not good enough to do it 4 times in 7 games.
• Likely facing Houston if they win, but don't be surprised if GSW meanders its way through the play-in and steals a series win.

* - no, I will never let that go