Fansided

5 biggest disappointments of the 2018-19 NBA season

By Bryan Toporek

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 2: Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) talks with Bradley Beal (3) during action against the Atlanta Hawks at Capital One Arena. (Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 2: Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) talks with Bradley Beal (3) during action against the Atlanta Hawks at Capital One Arena. (Photo by Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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From left, Los Angeles Lakers President Magic Johnson and Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka talking before the start of the game against the Miami Heat on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla. (David Santiago/Miami Herald/TNS via Getty Images) /

1. Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka

The Los Angeles Lakers landed the biggest fish in free agency when they signed LeBron James to a four-year deal with a fourth-year player option. Not only did they manage to bring James in, but they got at least a three-year commitment out of him, which theoretically would make it easier to attract another star down the line.

But after signing James, the Lakers made a slew of questionable roster decisions.

While letting Julius Randle and Brook Lopez walk in free agency, they brought in Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne, team president Magic Johnson outlined such a plan to James during their free-agent meeting on June 30.

“What Johnson pitched to James was a team stocked with tough-minded playmakers like Stephenson and Rondo who could free up James to finish in the lanes and from the post, rather than having to create the lion’s share of the offense himself,” Windhorst and Shelburne wrote at the time. “… The subsequent deals, which sources say James has consulted on but have been executed at Johnson and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka’s direction, follow this vision.”

Next. Meet the 2018 NBA 25-under-25. dark

Perhaps the Lakers’ season wouldn’t have gone belly-up if not for their bevy of notable injuries — from James’ 17-game absence to Rondo, Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram all missing considerable time as well — but Johnson and Pelinka’s roster-building vision didn’t help. Building a team so markedly devoid of reliable 3-point shooters led to the Lakers sitting near the bottom of the league in long-range makes, attempts and accuracy.

But hey, when a guy makes eight straight NBA Finals appearances on rosters built around shooters, why wouldn’t you go against the grain and do the exact opposite?

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