Lakers Midseason Report: Grade for Darvin Ham. Biggest Surprise? Disappointment? Key Trade Targets

Tonight's game at the Crypt (an unusual 5:30 start) is the 42nd for the Lakers this year, meaning they're at the halfway point of the schedule. And at 20-21 heading in, it's fair to say this year hasn't gone the way anyone wanted or expected. It's been a disappointment on multiple levels.

So halfway through, it's time to hand out some evaluations of the 2023-24 LA Lakers.

It starts with the biggest surprise. The answer might seem unexpected, until you really stop to think about it. How about the Biggest Disappointment? Unfortunately, there are probably a more players you could choose from here than any Lakers fan would prefer. So which player "wins?"

For many fans, grading Darvin Ham's performance to this point in the season is a simple exercise. What is the lowest letter a person can have? Give him that. But is it fair? Fans often find fault with Ham's work - rightly in many cases - but are they also blaming him for stuff that's not his fault? He gets his report card.

Finally, the Lakers are central once again to just about every trade rumor around a sought after player the league will produce. So which player ought they pursue? Is it Murray? Finney-Smith? DeMar DeRozan? There are some important characteristics for a successful trade that the Lakers ought to consider.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: At 20-21 the Lakers have been a disappointment. But who has been the biggest surprise?

SEGMENT 2: How about the biggest disappointment?

SEGMENT 3: What player, literally and figuratively, should the Lakers be chasing ahead of the deadline?

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