NBA free agency has opened and there have already been numerous moves around the league. While most eyes are set on the Kevin Durant saga, other teams have started bringing in pieces that they’ll hope will help them contend for a championship. Notably, 2022 NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, Juan Toscano-Anderson has signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Toscano-Anderson became the first player of Mexican descent to win an NBA championship. Even though he did not play a major part in the Warriors’ title win, he was a key role player throughout the season. The Oakland native played 13.6 minutes a game and averaged 4.1 points and 2.4 rebounds last season.

While the Golden State Warriors can live without the services of Toscano-Anderson, it looks like a good pickup for the Lakers. The biggest problem for the team from Los Angeles last season was depth. Many players dealt with injuries which didn’t help the matter either. Toscano-Anderson played 73 games, starting six of them.

The former Marquette Golden Eagle will provide credible wing cover for the Los Angeles Lakers. He can play as a shooting guard or as a small forward. After having an increased role in the 2020-21 season, in which the Warriors missed the playoffs, he saw his minutes diminish due to the emergence of Jordan Poole and Otto Porter Jr.

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The journey of Toscano-Anderson is an inspiring one. After going undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft, he played in the Mexican basketball league for three years. The Santa Cruz Warriors, a G-League affiliate of the Golden State Warriors, picked him up for the 2018-19 season. He played there for two years before being promoted to play in the NBA.

Playing with Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors

Toscano-Anderson played with Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors for two and a half years. The 2020-21 season proved to be his most productive season with the Warriors. He shot 40% from distance on 1.7 attempts per game while averaging 5.7 points. He started 16 of the 53 games he played that season.

He saw his minutes reduced last season but he had one of the most memorable dunks of the season on former Warrior JaVale McGee. He also participated in the 2022 Dunk contest during the All-Star weekend.

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Joining an excellent playmaker in LeBron James will only help improve Toscano-Anderson’s game. What do you think about this latest move? Let us know in the comments.