USA Today via Reuters
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) holds up four fingers after winning his fourth NBA championship after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) holds up four fingers after winning his fourth NBA championship after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. The Los Angeles Lakers won 106-93 to win the series. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The 2020 NBA Free Agency isn’t over yet, but the Los Angeles Lakers have already been termed as one of the winners. The most recent praise has come from the legendary college coach, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski. He said:
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“The Lakers improved. Everyone they lost, they got quality back. It’s unbelievable… Gasol with that group will be rejuvenated. I’ve competed against Gasol forever with the Spanish team. And both those guys Pau and Marc are ultimate competitors and big-time talents. They are really smart.”
Krzyzewski added, “Imagine at some time where your front line during a ball game will be Anthony Davis, LeBron, and Marc Gasol. Or Montrezl Harrell might be at the forward spot… And getting Dennis Schroder? He’s really good. I am interested to see where it all washes out. Who do you really have with all these things?”
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Which other teams, along with the Lakers, have won Free Agency?
The Lakers lost some of their best defensive players in Avery Bradley, Dwight Howard, and JaVale McGee. But they have got better replacements in Gasol, Harrell, and Schroder. Despite being the best team in the league already, they have decided to keep improving, to stay in the hunt to defend their title.
While Coach K had a lot of appreciation for what Rob Pelinka has done with his team, he also praised their conference rivals, the Pelicans. He praised them for how they managed to trade for Steven Adams, among other players.
Trade complete:
MIL: Jrue Holiday, No. 60 pick Sam Merrill
NOLA: Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, ‘25/'27 1sts, ‘24/'26 swaps via MIL
OKC: George Hill, Josh Gray, Kenrich Williams, Zylan Cheatham, Darius Miller, ‘23 protected 1st via Denver, two 2nd round picks
DEN: RJ Hampton— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 22, 2020
After giving up Jrue Holiday, the Pelicans stacked up on picks, while also getting two solid guards in Eric Bledsoe and George Hill. They also got Adams from the Thunder and gave him a two-year $35 million extension immediately.
The Hawks are also one of the biggest winners in the 2020 Free Agency. They have acquired solid veterans in Danilo Gallinari and Rajon Rondo. They also brought in sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanovic and defensive guard Kris Dunn. With this team, they look ready to break their three-year playoff drought and establish themselves as one of the best teams in the East.
The Suns getting Chris Paul and Jae Crowder is also a huge move for them, in their fight to return to the playoffs after a decade.
Devin Booker and CP3 already puttin’ in work! pic.twitter.com/ss1BEWSAcn
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) November 18, 2020
The front offices of these teams have done their part; now it is up to the players to live up to the expectations.
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