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Los Angeles Lakers’ 5 Worst Roster Moves Since Phil Jackson Left

By Gil Alcaraz IV

Mar 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (10) looks on during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 143-107. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (10) looks on during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 143-107. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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5. Failing To Re-Sign Ed Davis

Details: Ed Davis signed a three-year, $20 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers after there was mutual interest between him and the Lakers to keep him in Los Angeles. According to Davis, he signed with the Blazers because he didn’t want to “wait around” for the Lakers.

Signed for the 2014-15 season, Ed Davis quietly proved to be an underrated contributor for the Lakers. Although he averaged modest totals of 8.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks, he was an exceptional presence off the bench. So it only made sense for the Lakers to bring him back.

As you probably know, that didn’t happen.

While there was interest from both parties, a new deal never got signed. Apparently Davis was hoping something would happen, but the Lakers failed to get a contract in place before the Trail Blazers swept in and signed him.

"“[The Lakers] wanted me to come back,” Davis said via Inside the Lakers’ Mark Medina. “But I felt like this was the right decision for me. I didn’t really want to wait around… I wanted to go back. Nothing went bad or anything.”"

It’s believed Davis was also eyeing a larger role in Portland, but it was a big loss for the Lakers nonetheless. They got impressive production off the bench from the tough veteran big man, who added a 61.1 shooting percentage to those aforementioned totals.

Now, they head into 2016-17 with unproven depth in the frontcourt. Sure, Larry Nance Jr. offers some upside and Ivica Zubac is an intriguing prospect. However, having an experienced option like Davis would have given the Lakers much more stability in the middle.

Next: 4. Getting Bit By A Bad Bid

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