The Los Angeles Lakers suffered their fourth straight losing season in 2016-17, finished 27-55 which was the third-worst record in the NBA.
The Lakers winning percentage in the last four seasons is just .384, which marks the worst four-season stretch in franchise history by a wide margin.
Despite the poor play, Laker fans remain loyal to one of the most historic franchises in NBA history, as Staples Center is still sold out every time the Lakers take the court.
Additionally, the NBA Store recently their merchandise sales for this past season, and the Lakers sales ranked sixth out of all 30 teams, via Alex Kennedy of Hoops Hype:
The NBA Store released the best-selling merchandise for the 2016-17 season. Top 10 teams: pic.twitter.com/MCRdFmMYc8
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 29, 2017
While the recent stretch for Los Angeles is the worst in franchise history, there are reasons for optimism as Hall of Famer Magic Johnson took over the organization’s front office this past February.
He has already done an excellent job rebuilding the Lakers roster, as the team has a promising young core of consecutive No. 2 overall draft picks Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, in addition to Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., Ivica Zubac, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and Thomas Bryant.
The Lakers also hold the cap space to sign two max level players in 2018, with Paul George and LeBron James being players that Johnson could have his eyes on.
If either or both of those players do end up in Los Angeles, then those merchandise sales could jump back to the top where the Lakers have been in the past.
But right now it comes as no surprise that the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, the two teams that have met in the NBA Finals the past three seasons, are at the top of the list.