2019-20 NBA Champions Los Angeles Lakers made a strong impression so far in 2020 NBA Free Agency. Rob Pelinka was impressive in his first year as a Vice President of Basketball Operations , so many people around the league felt Pelinka should have been rewarded with Executive of the year award for assembling very good team in no time after failed pursuit of Kawhi Leonard during 2019 Free Agency.
Lakers dominated their opponents during Championship run inside the bubble, Vegas made Lakers as a favorites to repeat the title in 2020-21 season. But many felt the team has so many flaws and it will be tough to win back-to-back titles without improved rooster.
Rob Pelinka & Co exactly knows what are the strengths and Weakness of their Championship team and they always looking for ways to improve the team. Pelinka wanted to be aggressive in the Free Agency and he told Lakers reporter Mike Trudell,
“I think there are a handful of teams that hope to contend, and we’re not going to just sit back and not expect others to better their teams. The danger of winning is complacency, and we won’t allow that to happen here.”
Pelinka kept his promise and made Lakers the biggest winner of the 2020 NBA Free Agency so far. Lets review the rooster moves made by Lakers so far.
INS
- Dennis Schroder – acquired from OKC for No.28 pick of 2020 NBA Draft & Danny Green
- Wes Matthews – Signed one year $3.6M deal, Played for Milwaukee Bucks during 2019-20 season.
- Montrezl Harrell – Signed two year $19M deal, Played for Los Angeles Clippers during 2019-20 season.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Re-Signed on a three year $40M deal
- Marc Gasol – Signed two year $2.56M/year deal, Played for Toronto Raptors during 2019-20 season.
- Markieff Morris – Re-signed on a one year veteran minimum deal.
- Alfonzo McKinnie – Acquired from Cleveland Cavaliers as part of Javale McGee trade.
OUTS
- Danny Green – Traded to OKC Thunder as part of Dennis Schroder deal.
- Rajon Rondo – Signed Free Agent deal with Atlanta Hawks
- Dwight Howard – Signed Free Agent deal with Philadelphia 76ers.
- Quin Cook – Waived by Lakers
- Javale McGee – Traded to Cleveland Cavaliers
- Jordan Bell – Waived by Lakers
- Avery Bradley -Signed Free Agent deal with Miami Heat.
