Lakers Free Agency Frenzy Day 1

Patrick Beverly and the Clippers on Suicide Watch

The first day of NBA Free Agency has had many twists and turns so far and it is far from over. While we anticipate whether or not Anthony Davis re-signs with the Lakers, the Lakers are wasting no time in making moves by adding players who fit into AD's timeline. Not only that, but the Lakers get younger. They're more athletic. All of a sudden, they went from arguably the oldest team in the league to a younger team fresh off a championship. Let's dig right into Day 1.

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Dwight Howard -> PHI, 1-year, $2.6M

Comments: I thought he was staying? He made a Tweet earlier this evening, giving us signs that he was going to come back to LA for a chance to run it back. But, that tweet was immediately deleted and he's going to the Philadelphia 76ers. From what I heard, the Lakers offered him an incrementally higher salary, which is why it was odd that he would take less money to go from a guaranteed championship team to a team with championship aspirations. Let's be real here, this is a much different circumstance than when he first left in 2013. I am bummed out. The Lakers lose their "enforcer" in the paint, but I'm not completely mad. He completed his redemption arc in the purple and gold. Now, he's a champion. He can do whatever he wants. Let bygones be bygones already. Looks like Shaq has more bulletin to make fun of Dwight more. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Shaq's  recent rants on how Dwight celebrated the championship played a part in this. 

Nonetheless, the 76ers are going to get a true backup to Joel Embiid. Funny enough, Dwight is going to reunite with Danny Green since OKC flipped Green to Philly when the Lakers traded for Schroder. The Lakers still have a shot blocker since JaVale McGee picked up his player option. But honestly, the Lakers are going to miss Dwight as he helps take off the load of McGee and AD defending the more premium centers like a Nikola Jokic. He had a huge role during that matchup against the Nuggets.

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Wesley Matthews (MIL) - 1-year, $3.5M 

Comments: Now, this is a move that we all saw coming. The Lakers needed to find a cheap replacement for Danny Green and Wes Matthews was their guy all throughout this process. Matthews had a pretty decent season as a prominent role player for the Bucks. His best days of averaging 10+ PPG are behind him, but he's a savvy veteran who can still knock down the three ball and defend multiple positions. He's the perfect trade-off for the departure of Danny Green and the Lakers didn't need to break the bank. Fun fact, his dad played for the Lakers in the Showtime Era. It comes full circle for the man.

Montrezl Harrell (LAC) - 2-years, $19M

Comments: I felt a great disturbance in the force as if millions of Clipper fans suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. The salt level of Clipper Nation is through the roof with the signing as Montrezl Harrell decides to join the real LA team across the hallway. Nobody, saw this coming! I never thought he would be a target! But, this mitigated the loss of Dwight a bit earlier tonight. Harrell doesn't have the physical stature and defensive prowess that Dwight has. But, what he brings is relentless energy and high motor and he can score and terrorize the boards in bunches. He was a big reason why the Lakers dropped the first two meetings with the Clippers last year. Once Montrezl and Lou Will subbed in, you just knew momentum was about to shift in the Clippers' way in a blur. 

Now, the Lakers don't have to worry about now that they have him. After further research, Harrell is a client of Rich Paul and Klutch Sports. Definitely, there was a lot of internal stuff going on that we don't know about. But, who are we to complain? Rob Pelinka and Rich Paul are playing chess while the rest of the league is playing checkers. The Lakers have the reigning Sixth Man after previously acquiring the runner-up in Dennis Schroder. I would think Harrell comes off the bench. He and the Carushow are going to be super electrifying coming off the bench. And, they just weakened the Clippers with this "pro gamer" move. Don't cry Clipper fans. If y'all sign Rondo, you better pray to the basketball gods he stays healthy all season and he can handle the egos of Paul Choke (PC13) and Kawhi LoadManagement.