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| The "Pope" is back! |
Day 2 of the NBA Free Agency is in the books. We expected some more key losses on the Lakers' front and we got those today. Remember, the Lakers traded for Dennis Schroder to get younger and to mitigate the big losses the Lakers will get in terms of their backcourt personnel. Despite some of those losses, the Lakers still rebounded and brought back a guy who'll be an integral piece for many years to come. Let's break down some of these transactions.
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Avery Bradley --> MIA, 2 years, $11.3M
Comment: AB was the first domino to fall today. I wouldn't say I'm surprised by this. The Lakers brought him in to defend the best perimeter players and for the most part, his role was pretty consistent prior to the suspension of the NBA Season. We all know what happened regarding his decision to withdraw from the NBA restart. Again, I'm not going to hold that against him. At least he was open to come back. It's just that I don't think that the Lakers would've offered him this kind of contract that he's getting with the Miami Heat. The Heat have pretty much bolstered their perimeter defense by adding Bradley to the team. And they strengthen their scoring and shooting as he can have a knack to go off at times. But, his niche is defense and pairing him along with Jimmy Butler? That's an underrated defensive tandem right there in a franchise that instills defense into their culture.
Rajon Rondo --> ATL, 2 years, $15M
Comment: When the Lakers traded for Dennis Schroder, we knew right then and there that Rondo is expendable. Rondo was huge from the 2nd round onwards in the Lakers' championship run in the NBA Bubble. With LeBron and Rondo on the same team, it was like cheating the system when you have two guys who have unbelievable basketball IQ on the same floor. The only knack is he's not as durable as he was before, having extended periods of absence due to injury. But to get him back in the postseason was great timing and "Playoff Rondo" is as advertised. The Hawks just got a guy who can help Trae Young take that next step as a floor general point guard. It's quite surprising since Rondo was rumored that his preferred destination is to a playoff team. But, the Atlanta Hawks are on the come-up in the East and Rondo's rationale is to secure the last big payday before he declines even further. He's got nothing to prove at this point. He's won championships with two storied franchises. That's more than enough. At least he didn't go to the Clippers. Thanks Rondo for giving your all to the purple and gold!
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Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - 3 years, $40M
Comment: With Danny Green traded. Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo going elsewhere, the Lakers are well on their way to have a revamped backcourt. But bringing back KCP is huge for this team to bring some stability. It's a love-hate relationship with KCP since he first got here in 2017. When he does terrible, he's "Kentavious Caldwell-Poop." But the way he rebounded in the postseason after dropping a goose egg in the beginning swayed public opinion about him. KCP was the X-Factor in the Finals run, hitting clutch shots after clutch shots. I would say he's earned this contract extension after signing multiple 1-year deals and a 2-year deal with a player option. The thing about is, he's only 27 years old. He still has a lot of years left in him and he flashed potential as an integral role player and a guy who's not afraid of the big moment. Don't let the numbers fool you, he's a pesky defender as evident in his playing days in Detroit. The Lakers and Klutch Sports have done it again. We all must remember, KCP signing with the Lakers back in 2017 planted the seeds for LeBron, AD, and the unholy alliance with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports that is unfolding this year before our very eyes.
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