Look it's been a minute since I last wrote something. So much has happened. We did it after ten years of hurt and falling short. The Lakers are once again the best team in the NBA. How did that happen? I think the basketball world knows it meant more to us this year. We had to do it-not just because the new staff and coach had a point to prove-but also for him (the greatest of all time! Best player to play the game). Him and his daughters tragic passing rocked not just the NBA, but the world over. So much so I couldn’t put into words the impact of the loss. But the drive for the team was clear to honour him and his daughters name. Going in to every postseason match up with the motivation to win it all. There was no other option… and so it was written and so it was done NBA Champions 19/20….for KOBE.
So going into the offseason we have not took the foot off the gas in terms of building a team that can carry the name champions. So who has stayed and who has gone? Well the first big swoop the Lakers made was parting ways with Danny Green and our 28th pick in this year’s draft for OKC’s Dennis Schröder. Reasons for this trade are clear in my eyes. Adding more depth at the point with a guy that's not even hit his prime yet and also clearing up some cap space for re-signing AD to a max deal. I mean all the best to Green. I'm sure he will lay BRICK foundations in OKC.
So to fill the gap Green left the Lakers looked to Wesley Mathews who is known for being an all-round solid role player and is reported to have agreed to a one year deal.
Now for the surprise deal which left me thinking, "I'm sorry what!?" The two year deal for Clippers big man Montrezl Harrell, who is coming of the best year of his career averaging 18.6 PPG,7.1RPG and not to mention being named 'Six Man of the Year'. It was a big shock to his former team mate Patrick Beverley who took to Twitter to express his...let’s say shock at this jump ship move. I mean I know am not the only Laker fan happy with this move and you can’t blame the guy for well ….seeing the light and coming to the gold side of Los Angeles. Plus with Howard going to Philly we needed a replacement and I think we got that and then some with Harrell.
I don’t think this is us done in the offseason yet by any means and with McGee returning and Kuzma's team option being put into play we still have business to be done. And let's not mention the AD in the room who we need to re-sign to a max deal.
Next season is anyone's year as it stands now. I mean that’s sports for you and that’s basketball for you too, but I can’t help but see another two-peat on the cards. History has a funny way or repeating itself. DAN STOCKER.
