The 2019–20 Los Angeles Lakers season will be the franchise's 72nd season, its 71st season in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and its 60th in Los Angeles. The team will attempt to make the postseason for the first time since 2013.
On April 9, 2019, Magic Johnson stepped down as president of basketball operations.[1] Three days after that, Luke Walton and the team agreed to part ways.[2] On May 13, the team hired Frank Vogel as their new head coach[3] and Jason Kidd was appointed as assistant coach.[4]
On June 15, the Lakers agreed to a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans to acquire star player Anthony Davis, though the deal would not take full effect until July 6.[5] In exchange for Davis, the Lakers agreed to give up Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, three first round picks (including their No. 4 overall selection in 2019), 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.[6]
The Lakers hold one first round draft pick for the 2019 NBA Draft.[7][8] 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.[9][10] 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.[11] 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 would not be finalized until July 6.[5]
