The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the most efficient teams during free agency, completing a number of team-friendly deals to bring back some key pieces from last season, while signing some new players to bolster their squad. Their negotiating prowess is truly seen when compared to other teams.
The Los Angeles Lakers signed Austin Reaves for 4 years/$56 million, D’Angelo Russell for 2 years/$39 million, and Gave Vincent for 3 years/$33 million. This means that the three guards will earn a combined $42 million next season (Austin Reaves earns $12.5 million in the first year of his new contract)
In comparison, the Houston Rockets signed former Raptors guard Fred VanVleet to a massive 3 years/$130 million contract. VanVleet negotiated the most expensive deal offered to an undrafted player in history. This deal will pay VanVleet $43.3 million next season, more than all three Lakers guards mentioned above combined.
In fairness, the Rockets did get a former All-Star guard with championship experience on their squad when they signed VanVleet. But many fans have suggested that the Rockets massively overpaid for VanVleet when there were cheaper options on the market
Have The Lakers Won Free Agency?
Many fans are claiming that the Los Angeles Lakers have won free agency based on the fiscally conservative deals they have signed with their players. Not only did the Lakers build well around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but there is also a serious argument to be made that they have gotten better.
Keeping hold of Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and D’Angelo Russell, three of their better performers during last season’s playoff run was going to be crucial. And the fact that they have been able to sign them to team-friendly deals means that they can make a strong run for the title next year.
For the Lakers, they must capitalize on the shrinking window of LeBron James and Anthony Davis with another NBA championship run. The Lakers brought the duo together to win multiple titles, and having just won one championship during their time together will be considered a marginal disappointment.
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