Besides the poor play, coaching, the several injuries and lack of overall effort surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers in this race for a postseason spot, poor roster construction has been one of the major issues plaguing the team. The front office, led by president Magic Johnson, focused all of their efforts in landing LeBron James, who had consequent plans to make the playoffs, but not before his demands were met.

Per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne:

“They knew how to handle superstars. And at this stage in James' career, with three championships, eight consecutive NBA Finals appearances to his name and an equally burgeoning business and political profile off the court, James is a transcendent star. So, the Lakers were prepared to do whatever he needed to be happy.

He didn't want to have a media conference in Los Angeles before he opened his Promise School back in Akron, Ohio. The Lakers said OK.

He talked with Johnson about finding playmakers and guys known for their toughness, which effectively resulted in a roster lacking in shooting and floor spacing. The Lakers went out and got players who fit that description — who were willing to play on one-year deals.”

The Lakers signed Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley, and JaVale McGee in the offseason, an odd choice of characters, given the up-and-down nature of their careers.

While Johnson and company signed guys like Rondo and Stephenson, known playmakers and once considered pestering defenders, they have struggled to look anything like that this season — as Beasley now finds himself playing in China and McGee fights for minutes with Mike Muscala, Mo Wagner and Luke Walton's smaller rotation.

Somehow a LeBron James attempt to play general manager has once again backfired, with the team forced to play patch-up work after major potential acquisitions of Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis all went south.