Back and Better: The Free Agency Frenzy in LA

Opinion Piece

Free agency is starting with a bang, from veteran big man Serge Ibaka signing with the Clippers to former All-Star Gordan Hayward getting a massive deal in Charlotte. Although, even with multiple teams making these types of big moves, nothing beats the Lake show over in LA.

After winning the NBA finals, some might have thought the reigning champs would be content going into free agency, but Lakers GM Rob Pelinka made some massive moves and made the team even stronger.

Starting by flipping Guard Danny Green and the 2020 first-round draft pick (28) for a Sixth Man of the Year runner up, Thunder's Guard Dennis Schroder. Then in a surprising move, Pelinka signs the actual Six Man of the Year, big man Montrezl Harrell away from the rival Clippers. To top it all off, on the same day, he brings in sharpshooter Guard Wesley Matthews.

While the Lakers did take a toll in losing key pieces in Guards Rajon Rondo (Hawks), Avery Bradley (Heat), and Center Dwight Howard (76ers), the players they picked up are actually upgrades to the team, and we are here to explain why.

How will the Lakers' playmaking ability look like next season? While losing a playmaking PG like Rondo is a hit, Schroder's ability to create his own offense makes up for it. Last season, Schroder averaged 18.9 points-per-game (PPG) off the bench and a career-high from the field (46.9 %) and the three-point-line (38.5 %) versus Rondo’s 7.1 PPG on 41.8% and 32.8% shooting.

Also, Schroder is capable of dishing it as well, averaging four assists compared to Rondo’s five. Not like NBA fans have to be reminded, but the Lakers also still have arguably the best passer in the game in Lebron James to take care of playmaking when needed. Lastly, Schroder is more efficient in pick-and-roll situations than Rondo was, which is lethal when talking about pairing him up with big man Anthony Davis and the newly acquired Harrell.

Now some might bring up how losing Green might affect the defense presence at the shooting guard (SG) position. For instance, the signing of Matthews makes the Lakers two inches smaller at the SG position, which is a lot in the NBA. Still, adding Matthews at a much cheaper price is worth it because it brings better three-point shooting (which the Lakers needed in the NBA Playoffs) and allows room for another big signing. Also, according to NBA.com, the Lakers team had the third-best defense rating in the league last season, so they have other positions to make up for the loss.

Next, the Lakers surprised everyone when stealing Harrell from the LA Clippers. Adding Harrell, who is soon to be 27, is a significant upgrade from Howard, who is soon to be 35. Last season, an improving Harrell averaged a career-high in scoring (18.6 PPG) and rebounds (7.1 per game), while Howard, who is not the star he once was, averaged 7.5 PPG and 7.3 rebounds.

Lastly, this move was not only great because it improved the Lakers, but it also weakened the rival Clippers. Plus, this allows Lakers’ Head Coach Frank Vogel to rest an injury-prone Davis while feeling more confident with still having a strong scoring big on the court.

The Lakers indeed lost some great defending guards in Bradley, Green, and Rondo, but what is not being discussed is how a huge piece of the Lakers championship run is resigning. Maybe one of the most overlooked Lakers, Guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is running it back with the team next season. Pope plays as a great three-and-D player, which he had shown during the Lakers' run last season. Re-signing him was a big win for the Lakers organization, as he played valuable minutes during the playoffs while covering the top guards on each team and scoring 10.7 PPG.

Now yes, the Lakers still have to wait for the news about how the best free agent this season, Anthony Davis, resigns with the team. NBA fans don’t worry though, as reported by ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Davis plans on resigning with a new max contract sometime after Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, the Lakers did a fine job assuring Davis that they would sign more contending pieces to the roster to make another championship run.

In the meantime, another free agent recently signed by the Lakers' radar is Center Marc Gasol, a veteran big man who can both defend and spread the floor. According to The Athletic, Gasol has agreed to join the Lakers, as he is now part of a deep big man depth chart. Also, the Lakers have resigned versatile and tough defensive Forward, Markieff Morris for a minimum deal, per The Athletic.

The Lakers have set themselves up to run the table and gain another championship for the next few years. The organization is doing a great job, and Pelinka is leading the race for GM of the year.