They’re possibly the greatest NBA franchise of all time but you have to admit the Los Angeles Lakers have made some seriously dumb choices over the years.
We could spend all day talking about the ludicrous things they have done, from signing Kobe Bryant to a mammoth deal in the last years of his career to hiring Magic Johnson as a coach to, well, anything related to Adam Morrison.
However, what are some of the most idiotic things the team has done since 2010?
Strap in because this walk down memory lane will make any Lakers fan cringe.
3. Nick Young
Nick Young was supposed to be the face of the Lakers but he ended up being downright embarrassing.
The California native joined the squad in 2013 and was promised as a fast, smart, larger-than-life three-point threat who would carry a personality suitable for the Showtime Lakers of yesteryear.
In the end, his shooting was usually way off the mark and he got into a lot of drama, like when he and D’Angelo Russell got dragged into the tabloids because of their feuding.
Nick Young celebrating before his missed shot explains the look on Kobe’s face pic.twitter.com/KMufrQzRIe
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) March 4, 2021
Young seemed more focused on living the Los Angeles lifestyle rather than playing well.
“Swaggy P” was undisciplined and childish and the team suffered because of him.
2. The Timofey Mozgov Era
Center Timofey Mozgov would probably be a great fit for some teams but he really didn’t make sense for the 2016-17 Lakers.
Yet, the Lakers took a giant chance on the big man who was coming from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
For some reason, they signed him to a four-year, $64 million deal.
With a payout like that, the Lakers clearly saw Mozgov as a star who could carry the team.
Spoiler alert: he couldn’t.
Mozgov averaged 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds a game during his one season in LA.
Thankfully the team was able to send him off to the Brooklyn Nets and was able to get out of that contract.
For the record, Mozgov only played for one more season after that in the NBA.
He would end his time playing professional ball with a record of 6.8 points and 4.9 rebounds a game.
1. Howard & Nash
When Dwight Howard and Steve Nash joined the Lakers 2012, people thought the newest Big Three of the NBA had arrived.
Howard and Nash were going to play alongside Bryant and Pau Gasol in one of the more fearsome lineups in the entire league.
However, this roster only ended up being fearsome for the Lakers and no one else.
Because of injuries and chemistry problems, the Lakers featuring Howard and Nash just didn’t work.
No one on this squad seemed happy, especially Howard who was young and hot-headed and often feuding with Bryant – feuds that would continue long after he left the team.
It became one of the most dysfunctional assortment of players in Lakers or NBA history and it only lasted one season.
Remember when the Lakers got Steve Nash & Dwight Howard?Remember WE HUNG A BANNER IN STAPLES BEFORE THE SEASON lol. I think I was the only one who said it wouldn’t work. I know AD ain’t Dwight & Caruso ain’t Nash. I know. Be careful what u ask for Lakers fans y’all asked 4 this: pic.twitter.com/gxBvw4QEbX
— BEAN 🏁🏁🏁 (@MGRADS) February 5, 2019
It’s a shame because individually everyone was supremely talented but they just didn’t work well as a unit and their personalities clashed.
Thankfully, Nash’s legacy was untouched and he is still considered one of the best players in history.
As for Howard, after a few rough years and trades, he is playing well again and is happy and at home on the Lakers.
NEXT: 3 Memorable Facts About Staples Center