While there are many detractors, the In-Season Tournament offers the opportunity for another title, even if a less prestigious one, to be won during the NBA regular season. It offers teams a chance to go play in Las Vegas, a desirable city to potentially spend a week in if you’re a professional athlete.
It also offers a significant financial reward if you win or even make the final. One that the Lakers are well aware of.
The deeper a team makes it into the knockout rounds, the more money each individual player wins. A trip to the quarterfinals is worth $50,000.