The 2013-14 Los Angeles Lakers roster marked a painful yet inevitable turning point for one of basketball's most storied franchises. Coming off a dismal 27-55 campaign under Mike D'Antoni, the team didn't just lose games; it lost its competitive identity. Kobe Bryant played in only six games due to Achilles and knee injuries, leaving a massive leadership and scoring vacuum. Instead of contending for an NBA championship, the organization found itself stumbling into an awkward era of transition, patching together aging veterans and short-term contracts while fans braced for a hard reality check.
Understanding this specific squad requires looking past basic box scores into the roster construction strategy. Management tried to bridge two distinct eras simultaneously. They attempted to honor Bryant's final massive contract extension while surrounding him with a makeshift supporting cast. This approach resulted in a chaotic season defined by constant lineup shuffles, defensive breakdowns, and an offense forced to reinvent itself nightly.
The Shattered Veteran Core and Injury Woes
Entering the year, the Lakers banked on veteran savvy to stay afloat in a brutal Western Conference. Steve Nash was supposed to run the point, but chronic nerve damage restricted him to just 15 games. His inability to stay on the floor ruined the team's half-court execution.
Pau Gasol carried a heavy load in the frontcourt, averaging 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, but he fought trade rumors and injuries all year. Gasol played through tendinitis and a vertigo flare-up, showing immense professionalism despite playing on a roster completely unequipped to support a deep playoff run.
Kobe Bryant's brief return in December 2013 lasted only six games before a fractured lateral tibial plateau in his left knee ended his season. His presence on the floor had briefly sparked hope, but his absence exposed the roster's lack of creation and grit. Without elite playmakers, the offense devolved into isolation heavy sets that wore down the remaining veterans.
The Supporting Cast and Stopgap Rotations
With the stars sidelined, general manager Mitch Kupchak filled the roster with bargain-bin veterans and journeymen trying to salvage their careers. Nick Young emerged as a rare bright spot off the bench. Playing in his hometown, "Swaggy P" led the team in scoring with 17.9 points per game, providing much-needed energy and perimeter shot-making on a team desperate for offense.
Jordan Hill anchored the paint with relentless hustle, grabbing offensive rebounds and providing interior toughness. Alongside him, players like Wesley Johnson, Xavier Henry, and Jodie Meeks logged heavy minutes on expiring contracts. Meeks enjoyed a career year, shooting over 40 percent from three-point range and scoring 21 points in a memorable upset win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
However, the defensive end remained an unmitigated disaster. The Lakers surrendered 109.2 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the league in defensive rating. Opposing guards routinely carved up a perimeter defense that lacked lateral quickness and rim protection.
Coaching Turmoil and Tactical Shifts
Mike D'Antoni faced an impossible coaching challenge. Hired to run a fast-paced, modern pick-and-roll offense, he had a roster that featured plodding big men and perimeter players who thrived in isolation rather than ball movement. Rumors of locker room friction surfaced regularly, and players struggled to master the defensive rotations required in D'Antoni's system.
By April 2014, the mounting injuries and historic blowouts took their toll. The Lakers finished last in the Pacific Division with a 27-55 record, missing the playoffs entirely and securing the seventh overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. D'Antoni resigned at season's end, citing a lack of front office alignment and recognizing that the franchise needed a completely fresh voice to guide its impending rebuild.
Setting the Stage for the Future
Though the 2013-14 season felt like a lost year for loyal fans, it forced the front office to confront the future. The dependency on aging superstars had officially expired, paving the way for a draft-centric youth movement. Selecting Julius Randle in the 2014 NBA Draft later that summer signaled the true beginning of the post-Kobe era.
For a deeper dive into the statistical history of the franchise during this era, you can review records on Basketball Reference. To understand how the front office approaches team salary caps and long-term asset management, official insights are available through the National Basketball Players Association.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the 2014 Lakers struggle so badly?
Injuries to Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, and Pau Gasol decimated the team's core. Combined with a porous defense and an aging roster, the team lacked the depth to compete in a powerhouse Western Conference.
Who was the leading scorer for the Lakers in 2014?
Nick Young led the team in scoring with 17.9 points per game, primarily operating as a dynamic spark plug off the bench and filling in during Kobe Bryant's extended absences.
What draft pick did the Lakers receive after this season?
The Lakers earned the seventh overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft, which they used to draft forward Julius Randle out of Kentucky.
Did Kobe Bryant play at all during the 2013-14 season?
Yes, but his season was limited to just six games. After returning from his April 2013 Achilles surgery in December, he suffered a knee fracture that sidelined him for the remainder of the year.
