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The LA Lakers were severely outplayed in their first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, crashing out of the 2021 NBA Playoffs following a 4-2 series loss. The LA Lakers were underhanded beyond Game 4 following Anthony Davis' groin problem, but the manner in which the defending champions exited the playoffs raises concerns about their roster.
5 players LA Lakers should move on from in the offseason in order to bounce back from this season's playoffs embarrassment
The LA Lakers were thoroughly outplayed in Games 4,5 and 6 of the playoff series against the Phoenix Suns. With the exception of LeBron James, Anthony Davis (when he was fit) and probably Talen Horton-Tucker, no other LA Lakers star showed up.
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The LA Lakers management will probably want to shake things up in the summer, and here are 5 players that should not be a part of their squad going into the 2021-22 NBA season.
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#5 Marc Gasol
Marc Gasol was in and out of the LA Lakers rotation during the regular season. He was inserted into the lineup against the Phoenix Suns, but was of little help as DeAndre Ayton dominated the LA Lakers in the paint. Gasol is 36, and has certainly lost a step at both ends of the floor. There are reports linking him with a move to his native Spain, with FC Barcelona interested.
Gasol will be entering the second and final season of his contract with the LA Lakers, who will be better off parting ways with the former Defensive Player of the Year.
#4 Kyle Kuzma
Kyle Kuzma was arguably the worst player against the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs, ending his postseason with an average of 6 points and 3 rebounds. Kuzma shot 29% from the field, and even his high intensity and hustle plays were found lacking in the last two games of the series.
Kuzma signed a 3-year extension with the LA Lakers in 2020, but after an array of dismal performances in this year's playoffs, Rob Pelinka and co. should start looking for suitors for the man they signed as a rookie back in 2017.
#3 Dennis Schroder
The LA Lakers will be breathing a sigh of relief that Dennis Schroder turned down a 4-year, $84 million extension back in March. Schroder was atrocious in the playoff series against the Suns, scoring 14 points on 40% shooting from the field.
Schroder was brought in by the LA Lakers following a brilliant 2019-20 campaign with the OKC Thunder as their sixth man, but he has looked a shadow of himself lately. Schroder is a free agent in the summer, and it won't be a surprise if he is not a part of the LA Lakers roster going into next season.
#2 Montrezl Harrell
Montrezl Harrell averaged 9.8 minutes per game in the first round of the Western Conference series, which shows where head coach Frank Vogel stands on the former LA Clippers man's utility in crunch games. In the limited opportunities he did get, Harrell disappointed, averaging 6 points and 2 rebounds.
Harrell possesses the capability of being a solid offensive player, but his talent on that end is not enough to ignore his defensive frailties. Opposition teams target him to take advantage of him defensively, and the LA Lakers would certainly not like to play the 2021-22 season with a defensive liability on the squad.
#1 Andre Drummond
Various reports suggest that the LA Lakers consider Andre Drummond to be a part of their future plans, but the last few weeks have been evidence of what a grave mistake that could prove to be. Drummond's inability to operate outside the paint clogs the lane for Anthony Davis and LeBron James, which in turn stagnates the LA Lakers offense due to a lack of spacing.
Drummond had a quiet series against the Phoenix Suns, putting up 9 points and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes of action, further proving that he is not the player the LA Lakers want to start at the center position.
The LA Lakers got Andre Drummond from the Detroit Pistons following a buyout deal, and an ideal situation for them would be to release him this summer.
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