By admin 
Over the years, the Los Angeles Lakers have been known for acquiring big-name talent to bolster their chances of winning NBA championships. Yet, not all of these high-profile players lived up to the hype in the playoffs.
The Hype vs. The Reality
The Lakers, a powerhouse in the NBA, have been home to some of the league’s greatest legends. With 17 NBA championships and countless Hall of Famers, the franchise’s winning culture is second to none. However, being a talented player doesn’t guarantee success in Los Angeles. Many stars have struggled to meet the high expectations of Lakers fans, especially when it mattered most—during the playoffs.
Let’s take a look at 10 of the most underwhelming playoff performances from highly anticipated Lakers acquisitions, starting with Mo Bamba and Dwight Howard.
10. Mo Bamba: The Potential That Never Materialized
Mo Bamba entered the NBA with great promise after an impressive college career. Lakers fans hoped for a revitalized Bamba when he was traded from the Orlando Magic during the 2022-2023 season. His physical attributes were expected to add depth, particularly in matchups against big men like Nikola Jokic.
However, Bamba’s contribution to the Lakers was far from impactful. In his playoff debut, he averaged just 1.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, far below expectations for someone who was brought in to shore up the Lakers’ frontcourt.
9. Dwight Howard: Redemption Came Too Late
When Dwight Howard first joined the Lakers in 2012, he was arguably one of the most dominant big men in the league. But his first stint with the Lakers was far from ideal. Although Howard averaged 17.0 points and 10.8 rebounds per game during the 2013 playoffs, he couldn’t carry the team to championship contention. The Lakers were swept in the first round.
Thankfully, Howard would redeem himself in 2020 by contributing to a Lakers title. However, his first Lakers stint remains one of the franchise’s greatest letdowns in terms of missed expectations.
8. Dennis Schroder: A Game to Forget
Dennis Schroder, acquired by the Lakers to help defend their 2020 championship, entered the 2021 playoffs as a key piece. With Rajon Rondo and Danny Green gone, Schroder was supposed to provide much-needed scoring and playmaking. Instead, he made history for all the wrong reasons.
In Game 5 of the Lakers’ first-round series against the Phoenix Suns, Schroder became the first player in Lakers playoff history to go scoreless after nine shot attempts. His underwhelming performance played a crucial role in the Lakers’ early exit.
7. Gabe Vincent: Promising Signing, Underwhelming Results
Gabe Vincent, after helping lead the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023, brought excitement to Lakers fans when he joined the team. Unfortunately, Vincent’s playoff run in 2023 was marred by injuries. Once healthy, Vincent failed to deliver.
His stats told the story: just 1.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game while shooting a miserable 25% from the field. Vincent was expected to help push the Lakers past tough opponents, but instead, his impact was minimal.
Others Who Didn’t Meet Expectations
Spencer Dinwiddie was another high-profile acquisition who fell short. Brought in during the 2023-2024 season, Dinwiddie averaged just 3.0 points per game in the first round against Denver, disappointing Lakers fans expecting more from the seasoned guard.
Andre Drummond, touted as the answer to the Lakers’ post-trade deadline needs in 2021, similarly underperformed. Though he averaged 9.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, his impact on the court was minimal. Drummond was even benched in the final game of the series against Phoenix.
Marc Gasol, known for his defense and championship pedigree, was also a letdown in the 2021 playoffs. The veteran big man contributed only 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, a far cry from what the Lakers needed to stay competitive.
Gary Payton, one of the Lakers’ big-name acquisitions in 2004, teamed up with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant in hopes of winning a championship. Instead, Payton’s performance in the Finals was forgettable, averaging just 7.8 points and 3.3 rebounds on 37% shooting.
Karl Malone, another Lakers acquisition from 2004, couldn’t deliver in the NBA Finals, posting career-low numbers, including just 5.2 points per game. Despite his illustrious career, Malone would retire without an NBA title.
Steve Nash, a two-time MVP, was supposed to help Kobe Bryant win another title. Instead, Nash’s best years were behind him when he joined the Lakers. His playoff stats in 2013—12.5 points, 4.5 assists—were far from what was expected from the former MVP, and the Lakers were quickly swept out of the postseason.
Conclusion: The Weight of Expectations
For these 10 players, donning the purple and gold brought immense expectations, but their playoff performances fell short. While some, like Dwight Howard, eventually redeemed themselves, many others left fans wondering what might have been. The Lakers will continue to chase championships, but history shows that not all star-studded acquisitions lead to postseason glory.