The Los Angeles Lakers’ promotional campaign for their 2024-25 City Edition jerseys has taken an unexpected turn, stirring excitement and controversy among fans. The team’s decision to feature rising basketball stars JuJu Watkins and Cameron Brink has showcased their new purple and gold gradient design and ignited passionate discussions about the current Lakers roster.
On Thursday evening, USC phenomenon JuJu Watkins sent Lakers fans into a frenzy when she appeared in a custom Lakers #12 jersey. The images on the Lakers’ official Instagram account captured the hometown talent modeling the new City Edition jersey, which beautifully blends the team’s iconic purple and gold colors.
The social media response was immediate and intense. While many fans expressed admiration for Watkins, others took the opportunity to voice their frustrations with current Lakers players. The focus of their criticism? Gabe Vincent, whose recent performance statistics tell a challenging story: just 2.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game, with a concerning 28.1% field goal percentage.
“Waive Gabe Vincent and sign JuJu,” demanded one fan, echoing a sentiment that quickly spread through the comments section. Even D’Angelo Russell and Bronny James weren’t spared from the comparisons, as fans playfully suggested lineup changes.
However, the Lakers’ marketing strategy didn’t stop with Watkins. The team also featured Cameron Brink, the LA Sparks’ rookie sensation and Stephen Curry’s god sister, wearing the #22 City Edition jersey. Brink, selected second overall in the 2024 WNBA draft, has already made her mark in Los Angeles despite an abbreviated rookie season due to an ACL injury in June.
What makes Brink’s involvement particularly noteworthy is her impact on LA basketball culture. In a remarkable turn of events, a regular season Sparks game featuring Brink against Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever drew 19,103 fans – surpassing the Lakers’ 2023-24 season attendance recoregular-seasontators. While this figure comes with a caveat due to extended seating at WNBA games, it underscores the growing popularity of women’s basketball in Los Angeles.
The timing of this promotional campaign is strategic as the Lakers prepare to debut these City Edition jerseys in their upcoming game against the Orlando Magic on November 21. The game, scheduled for 10:30 PM and broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network, will give fans their first look at these gradient-design jerseys in action.
The jerseys’ unveiling has created an exciting intersection of LA basketball culture, bringing together elements from USC, the Sparks, and the Lakers. It has also highlighted the changing dynamics of basketball fandom in Los Angeles, where stars like Watkins and Brink are capturing public attention and admiration traditionally reserved for the Lakers’ roster.
As the Lakers continue to navigate their season with mixed results, this marketing campaign has done more than showcase new jerseys – it has sparked meaningful conversations about talent, performance, and the evolving landscape of basketball in Los Angeles. Whether these discus will influence fut— roster decisions remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Lakers’ fanbase is paying attention to more than just their men’s team.
All eyes will be on the upcoming Magic game, where the new City Edition jerseys will officially debut. And while Gabe Vincent works to improve his numbers and justify his position, the Lakers’ decision to feature rising stars like Watkins and Brink suggests a recognition of basketball’s broader appeal in the City of Angels.