Would the Lakers go in for just one superstar or keep what worked for them?
This was the big question for Los Angeles opening the offseason. It was on Lakers’ General Manager Rob Pelinka to try to get his team back to winning ways. He needed to surround his superstars, Anthony Davis and Lebron James, with as much help as necessary to keep them happy.
With the good second half of the season they had, this team needed to stay together to see what they could do with a full offseason to gain chemistry.
Instead of letting everyone go to land one superstar, the team chose to stay away and build the team up.
To start free agency, the Lakers re-signed Austin Reaves who is quickly becoming the fan favorite. Reaves was a huge piece of the Lakers’ offense this past season. Most people thought that he was going to leave and sign for a bigger extension.
Early in free agency, the Lakers brought back key players that were huge to their amazing postseason run. Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell both resigned on three-year deals.
In addition to these resignees, the team brought in new clientele.
One of those players is Gabe Vincent. Vincent was a huge contributor to the Miami Heat postseason run.
In addition to Vincent, the team brought in Tauren Prince, Cam Reddish, and Jaxson Hayes. All three will be key role players for the Lakers this upcoming season.
Although those were all great things that the Lakers did this offseason, they also resigned Anthony Davis.
They extended his contract for five years for 182 million dollars. This was the biggest contract extension in NBA history.
Lastly, Pelinka and the Lakers signed big man Christian Wood. Wood will also be a big piece to the Lakers’ offense. Head Coach Darvin Ham can now utilize Anthony Davis in the power forward position.
The Lakers will go into training camp with the most confidence. They know what they are capable of doing, and they know they can/will do it.
They open up their season opener on October 24 against the defending Champs, the Denver Nuggets.