Lakers

Lakers News: LA Faces Numerous Free Agent Decisions

It’s been four days since the Lakers returned Los Angeles to its former glory with their 17th NBA title. The past couple of days have been celebrations for the fans and for the players, yet there may be even more celebrating still to come.

One of the key pieces to the Lakers championship was nonother than Anthony Davis, who received praise from LeBron James.

While he is still under contract through next season, he has an opt-out that many have expected him to use. And what do you know, he indeed plans to opt-out of his $28.7 million player option but only to re-sign a more lucrative deal with the Lakers. There was little doubt that Los Angeles would let Davis walk after paying a king’s ransom for him last offseason. 

Sep 18, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo (9) talks with forward Anthony Davis (center) and guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (left) during the second quarter in game one of the Western Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

LA also faces many other impending free agents that have also grown with the expected opt-outs of Rajon Rondo and Caldwell-Pope. Rajon Rando provided a needed veteran presence on the court and became a leader for the team while they were inside the bubble. 

Caldwell-Pope on the other hand became a productive scorer for the Lakers after the restart and into the playoffs. You couldn’t go one game without hearing that he knocked down a couple of threes. In his last three games alone he scored 48 points that helped propel the Lakers to the champions once again. 

Both are expected to garner interest from multiple external suitors, yet there is still mutual interest between the Lakers and themselves. General Manager Rob Pelinka will undoubtedly try to better this team and recreate another championship-caliber squad that could use the talent of all three players. 

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Adam Salcido

“That is the way this game is -- you win, you lose, you celebrate and you suffer.” -- Vin Scully
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