The Los Angeles Lakers have gone about their business in a quick way so far. After completing a blockbuster trade for former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook last week, the Lakers are now bringing in reinforcements for the new season. Because of Westbrook’s new contract, the Lakers have to be very careful in their spending, with almost no cap flexibility to bring in some other stars.
The Lakers are relying on their strategy from the 2019-2020 season, where they relied on players on smaller contracts to help make the entire team. And so far, the Lakers have made a lot of deals to do that.
On the first day of free agency, the Lakers signed new contracts with their former stars like Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, and Wayne Ellington on short, team-friendly contracts. What is noticeable about the Lakers’ approach so far, is that they have only signed veteran players as of now. Howard, Ariza, and Bazemore have already seen their best days in the NBA go by.
But the Lakers have little choice in the matter, as they need to continue to surround LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook with competent players on a small contract. Seeing the Lakers go after some veterans, a former teammate of LeBron James has thrown his name in the mix for the Lakers.
I’m ready @lakers
— Richard Jefferson (@Rjeff24) August 3, 2021
Former NBA Champion Richard Jefferson took to Twitter to tell the Los Angeles Lakers that he is ready to join them. Jefferson is 41 years of age and has been retired for a few years. Clearly, Jefferson was making jokes at the Lakers’ expense, given how many veteran players they have signed in free agency.
So far, the Lakers have signed four players in free agency and brought in one player through a trade. But they apparently have plans to bring in more players, with big names like Carmelo Anthony linked to the Lakers in free agency. The Lakers will have to evaluate which players they can sign to team-friendly contracts going forward.
