2016–17 Los Angeles Lakers season
The 2016–17 Los Angeles Lakers season was the franchise's 69th season, its 68th season in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and its 57th in Los Angeles. It was also the first season without Kobe Bryant since the 1995–96 season as he retired from the NBA in April 2016. It would also be the season where after multiple opportunities to improve upon themselves came and went, the Lakers decided to replace Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak with former Lakers legend Magic Johnson and former sports agent Rob Pelinka on February 21, 2017, as both president of basketball operations and general manager respectively. Furthermore, it was the season where Jeanie Buss would officially be named the primary owner of the Lakers on March 27.
| 2016–17 Los Angeles Lakers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Luke Walton |
| General manager | Mitch Kupchak (until February 21) Rob Pelinka |
| Owners | Jerry Buss family trust (primary owner being Jeanie Buss as of March 27) |
| Arena | Staples Center |
| Results | |
| Record | 26–56 (.317) |
| Place | Division: 4th (Pacific) Conference: 14th (Western) |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Local media | |
| Television | Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum Deportes |
| Radio | 710 ESPN |
On the eleventh anniversary of Kobe Bryant's legendary 81–point game on January 22, 2017, the Lakers lost by 49 points to the Dallas Mavericks 122–73 at the American Airlines Center marking the Los Angeles Lakers' suffered their worst loss ever in franchise history surpassing their record set when the Utah Jazz won by 48 points 123–75 over the Lakers in Bryant's final game played in Salt Lake City in Utah on March 28, 2016.
Despite not making it to the playoffs, the Lakers managed to improve nine wins with an 26–56 record on their franchise worst 17–65 record from the year before.
Following the season, D'Angelo Russell was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, Nick Young signed with the Golden State Warriors, and Metta World Peace retired.