The Lakers have added more talent to the team that won the championship last season. A couple of convincing free agency moves have set the Lakers up for a second championship. A couple holes have been filled from last season’s roster, and the Lakers were able to find replacements for the players that left this season.
Free Agency
The Lakers did not make a splash with a huge free agent signing, but they did add some quality pieces that could help in this year’s title run. The first couple of moves the Lakers made were to fill the gaps in the frontcourt left by the departing Dwight Howard and Javale Mcgee. The Lakers were able to add a solid vetern in Marc Gasol and the sixth man of the year in Montrezl Harrell. Marc Gasol has already won a championship with the Toronto Raptors, and now that he is with the Lakers he provides a solid backup option when Anthony Davis is not on the floor. The Lakers also like to play with two bigs on the floor, and Gasol gives them even more flexibility when playing alongside Davis because of his three point shooting. The Lakers snatched Harrell from their rivals across town, and adding the sixth man of the year will give the Lakers a boost off the bench. Harrell is only 26 years old and has so much room to grow with his game, and if the Lakers can maximize his potential then they will have two very young and talented bigs. Moving away from the bigs, the Lakers also made one more notable signing when they signed Wesley Matthews to a 1 year deal. Matthews is a good shooter and can play good perimeter defense, and with Danny Green leaving in a trade we can expect Matthews to step right into Green’s role. The Lakers had a solid couple of free agent signings, and even though they lost some players they were still able to find value with a couple of vets and up and coming big.
Trades
The Lakers made only one major trade, and that was getting a true point guard. The Lakers need someone other than Lebron James to handle the ball, and with Rajon Rondo leaving a void at backup point guard this trade makes a lot of sense. The Lakers sent Danny Green and a 2020 first rounder to the Thunder in exchange for Dennis Schroeder. Schroeder is a dynamic point guard that can score at will, and make plays for his teammates. This is exactly what the Lakers need at the point guard position, and after Schroeder’s impressive season with the Thunder we can count this move as an upgrade over the aging Rondo. The Lakers might have made only one trade this offseason, but it filled a very big hole.
While the Western Conference will be even more difficult this season, the Lakers have made necessary upgrades that will keep them at the top of the league.
Top Image: AP Photos/ Mark J. Terrill