The Lakers have been in a trough since Kobe Bryant left. However, the arrival of Anthony Davis and Brandon Ingram brought an important turning point for the Lakers.
Davis' all-round ability: performance on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends
In his four seasons with the Lakers, Anthony Davis has shown great all-round ability and helped the team win a championship in the 19-20 season. From the performance on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, Davis has played well.
Offensively, Davis tops the list with 65.5 percent shooting, which is his offensive advantage. That means he can score well on offense and is able to get the ball to the basket, and his scoring ability has injected powerful firepower into the Lakers.
Defensively, Davis' performance was equally impressive. He had 1.6 blocks in 36 minutes, reducing the opposing team's shooting percentage from 46.2 percent to 41.4 percent.
Davis' prestige: Improvement in the overall efficiency of the team
Davis' prestige on the pitch cannot be underestimated. His coming on the court has made the Lakers more efficient overall, with the Lakers having a net efficiency of 11.6 when he comes on and only a net efficiency of -8.9 when he comes off.
What the Lakers did for Davis: Ingram's departure
In addition, the Lakers paid a lot for Davis, and only Brandon Ingram left the Lakers. In the '19-20 season, he averaged 23.8 points per game to qualify for the All-Star Game. Ingram also excelled on the offensive end, shooting 37.5 percent from three-point range and 1.9 three-pointers.
Ingram's passing ability has also helped his teammates improve their shooting percentage. For example, after receiving a pass from Ingram, Nance Jr. shot 57.1 percent, above the average of 55.1 percent. This shows Ingram's ability to help his teammates improve their shooting percentage. When playing alongside Hayes, Ingram's tacit understanding with Hayes allowed the Pelicans to prove that they had a very good understanding with a net efficiency of 6.7.
The addition of Hayes enriches the Lakers' defensive end
Hayes showed great potential and was the No. 8 rookie in '19. In the '21-22 season, he averaged 16.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, proving his prowess. But in the '22-23 season, Hayes' playing time and shots were played less and less by the Pelicans, which put his stats down. At the end of the season, the Pelicans did not bid on the Hayes bidder, which directly turned him into a free agent.
Luckily, Hayes and the Lakers agreed to a two-year contract, which is undoubtedly a big gift for the Lakers. As a skinny and tall interior lineman, although Hays lacks in confrontation, his ability to run and jump makes him an important tactical tool on the defensive end of the Lakers.