This offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers made some impressive moves, creating an experienced and talented team to compete in the Western Conference next season. The purple and gold are ready to get their revenge after a tumultuous 2020/21 campaign. After seeing their current roster, they have a big chance to make a statement in the association.
Following the Russell Westbrook trade, the team needed to pull off a big trick to fill the rest of the spots on the roster. Fortunately, they did it, landing more players on veteran deals to create a championship-caliber squad.
Players like Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, and more found their way to Los Angeles. This team is looking good ahead of the new season, but they raised a lot of eyebrows signing players to minimum deals while their stars are getting paid big time.
Statline compared the salaries of Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis against the rest of the team and the difference is abysmal. While the Big 3 will make $120 million this upcoming season, the rest of the squad will get $22.5 million combined (via HoopsHype).
Besides Melo, Dwight, and Ariza, players like Kent Bazemore, Malik Monk, and Wayne Ellington settled for a minimum deal to help the Lakers. Meanwhile, Kendrick Nunn was signed with the team’s taxpayer mid-level exception.
Obviously, there’s nothing wrong with this. The NBA is a business, and teams want to win at any cost. Players are the same, which is why it’s not a surprise that we see veterans joining contenders to get that ring.
At the end of the day, the Lakers are in a great position to compete for the championship. Regardless of what method they used, the front office did their job, assembling a competitive team that will make some noise in the league next year.
