2019–20 Los Angeles Lakers season


The 2019–20 Los Angeles Lakers season is the franchise's 72nd season, its 71st season in the National Basketball Association, and its 60th in Los Angeles. The Lakers are coached by Frank Vogel in his first year as coach of the Lakers.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the season was suspended on March 11, 2020. On July 5, the NBA announced a return of the season which would involve 22 teams playing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Each of the remaining 22 teams will play eight seeding games to determine positioning for the NBA playoffs. Play will resume on July 30.

Offseason

Front office and coaching changes

On April 9, 2019, Magic Johnson stepped down as president of basketball operations. Three days after that, Luke Walton and the team agreed to part ways. On May 13, the team hired Frank Vogel as their new head coach and Jason Kidd was named an assistant coach.

Draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalitySchool / Club team
14De'Andre HunterSFAmericanVirginia

The Lakers hold one first round draft pick for the 2019 NBA Draft. They previously held the rights to two second rounders in this year's draft as well, but those selections were later traded to the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks as picks 34 and 41, respectively. On the night of the NBA draft lottery, the Lakers rose up seven spots from the projected 11th selection to the 4th pick of the draft. On June 15, the Lakers agreed to a trade that will send players Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart, and multiple draft picks, including the Lakers' 2019 1st round draft pick, to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Anthony Davis. However, the trade was not finalized until July 6, during which time, the Washington Wizards were included in the deal as well.

Trades

On June 15, the Lakers agreed to a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans to acquire 6-time NBA All-Star power forward Anthony Davis, though the deal would not take full effect until July 6. In exchange for Davis, the Lakers agreed to give up forward Brandon Ingram, guards Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, three first round picks, and a first round pick swap in 2023.
On June 27, the Washington Wizards joined the trade to get Moritz Wagner, Isaac Bonga, Jemerrio Jones and the Lakers' 2022 second-round pick in exchange for cash considerations.

Roster

Standings

Division

Conference

Regular season

Game log

Preseason

Regular season

Season notes

and Davis would be selected to the All-Star Game for the 16th straight, and seventh straight years respectively. James would take Davis with the No. 1 pick in the All-Star draft. Additionally, Vogel was also selected to coach Team LeBron in the All-Star Game. Team LeBron would go on to win 157–155, with Davis hitting a game-winning free throw.
By adding Davis, the Lakers got off to a fast start to the season, which included a 17–2 record by the end of November. Four months later, they were able to clinch their first playoff berth since the 2012–13 season with a win over the Milwaukee Bucks on March 6.
However, five days after clinching their playoff berth, the NBA season was abruptly suspended by league officials after it was reported that Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for COVID-19. Two unidentified players of the Lakers would later test positive for COVID-19 on March 19.

Transactions

Overview

Trades

Free agency

Re-signed

Additions

Subtractions