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
Round
Pick
Player
Position
Nationality
School / Club team
1
4
De'Andre Hunter
SF
American
Virginia
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-Starpower 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.
