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3 Players Who Won't Be on the Lakers Roster Next Year if 2019-20 Season Doesn't Come Back

By Nick Porr

Los Angeles Lakers players Kyle Kuzma and Lebron James
Los Angeles Lakers players Kyle Kuzma and Lebron James / Harry How/Getty Images

If LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers do win an NBA title in due time, these current teammates of his are at risk of not being around for it.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the United States and the world, there is no guarantee that the NBA season will be able to resume. That's tough luck for LBJ and the Lake Show, who were first in the Western Conference at 49-14. If this season really is over, this trio isn't likely to be around for the start of the 2020-21 campaign.

1. Dion Waiters

Los Angeles Lakers guard Dion Waiters on his previous team, the Miami Heat
Los Angeles Lakers guard Dion Waiters on his previous team, the Miami Heat / Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Dion Waiters' reunion with King James in LA may be over before it even started. After being traded by the Miami Heat to the Memphis Grizzlies at the trade deadline, Waiters was promptly waived. On March 6, Waiters signed on with the Lakers for what felt like his last chance in the NBA. Set to be a free agent in the summer, there isn't much chance that he was ever going to be re-signed by the Lakers.

2. Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard in a game for the Los Angeles Lakers
Dwight Howard in a game for the Los Angeles Lakers / Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Dwight Howard's career resurgence with the Lakers has been one of the most surprising storylines of the 2019-20 NBA season. Howard has been giving his team solid numbers off the bench, scoring 7.5 points per game and 7.4 rebounds. With Anthony Davis set for a huge max contract this summer, the Lakers don't have much cap space to work with to re-sign Howard, who has earned himself a raise.

3. Kyle Kuzma

Kyle Kuzma playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Kyle Kuzma playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. / Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

The front office may covet him, but Kyle Kuzma just doesn't fit on this Lakers squad. The third year power forward projects well enough as part of a rebuilding team, but not a title contending squad playing effectively the same position as LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Additionally, Kuzma hasn't looked comfortable coming off the bench behing Anthony Davis. He's regressed from 18.7 points per game in 2018-19 to just 12.5 this year. and given his inefficient play from beyond the arc, expect Rob Pelinka to shop him around in due time.