mollyfamwatAs the NBA free agency period opened on July 1, the Lakers quickly assembled a blockbuster deal for Atlanta Hawks forward Kyle Korver. The 30-year-old sharpshooter is a relative of Kevin Durant, and he joins a new-look Lakers squad that includes All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins.
The Lakers have been a team of “superstars” in the NBA—making superstars of their superstars. Kobe Bryant has been the undisputed alpha male of the franchise for 12 years, going as far as winning the 2014 NBA title with him in the lineup. The Lakers’ history of making stars out of their superstars is a good one, but as we know, it only goes so far.
The Lakers just won their second championship in three years, and many fans are already wondering whether the team can build on this success. With LeBron James likely headed toward free agency this summer, there’s a growing sense that the Lakers can do things the last two years haven’t been able to. Not only that, but the franchise’s history of winning only made it more likely that James would leave in the future; the only way that could change is if the franchise won a championship in his one, final stay.. Read more about lakers super team 2020 and let us know what you think.
Free agents DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry have shown interest in joining the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, according to recent sources. From 2013 to 2018, the two were teammates with the Toronto Raptors and helped the club reach its greatest success. Since the Raptors moved DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs, where he has played ever since, the two have been apart for the last three years.
Veterans now have the option of choosing where they wish to play. DeRozan and Lowry aren’t the only players with alternatives. The Lakers may be able to turn things around as the summer approaches. Initially, it seemed that they could be salary limited, which would result in the departure of the majority of their key role players. The Lakers might write a new story with a little bit of magic.
The Brooklyn Nets are now favorites to win the NBA title, according to the oddsmakers. With Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant, the Nets have a real super squad right now. As a result, the Lakers may be the ones to put together a true super squad next season.
Russell Westbrook is being traded.
Dennis Schroder (sign-and-trade), Talen Horton-Tucker (sign-and-trade), and the No. 22 pick in 2021.
The Lakers aren’t only interested in Lowry as a point guard. Chris Paul has been rumored to be a target since the Milwaukee Bucks ousted the Phoenix Suns. However, at the same time as these rumors emerged, it was also reported that the Lakers were interested in the 32-year-old Westbrook, who is coming off his fourth career triple-double season.
Last season, Westbrook had 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 11.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Even though he’s in his mid-30s, Westbrook is still one of the league’s most athletic players. He’d be a great match next to LeBron James because of his speed and explosiveness.
The issue would be his pay, which is expected to be in excess of $41 million next season. Schroder’s compensation is expected to be about $20 million. Horton-Tucker will earn little over $1.2 million, but he must be included in order for the Washington Wizards to acquire some young talent. Bringing in Westbrook, who can pull several defenders away from their positions and give up so much more space for the Lakers attack, would be well worth it.
DeMar DeRozan is a player who plays for the Toronto Raptors (Sign-and-Trade)
Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell (sign-and-trade package) (player option picked up)
The Lakers would only bring in one of the Raptors in this scenario, since Westbrook is the younger and more athletic point guard than Kyle Lowry. The Lakers, on the other hand, may sign DeMar DeRozan, a 31-year-old forward who is coming off a season in which he averaged 21.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists. His total of assists was a career best.
DeRozan has a lifetime field-goal percentage of 46 percent. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would be able to come off the bench as a result of this. Because DeRozan is a superior all-around player, this is a better role for KCP. At the trade deadline, DeRozan was connected to the Lakers, but no deal was made because head coach Gregg Popovich is known for not doing business with the Lakers.
This is a special moment for the 73-year-old coach. DeRozan’s contract was up for renewal, so he may be on the move for no reason. If the Spurs do business with the Lakers, they will at least receive a young talent in Kuzma, who has two years remaining on his contract. It would be a one-year contract for Harrell, and they would receive a previous Sixth Man of the Year into their rotation.
Carmelo Anthony should be signed.
Anthony is poised to become a free agency after a great season with the Trail Blazers. The 37-year-old seemed unfazed by his position as a substitute. He shot 42.1 percent from the field and averaged 13.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Given Anthony’s connection with LeBron James, this trade seems to make the most sense for all parties involved.
Anthony might have a stronger season than he had last year if he joined a team that would embrace him with open arms. Most of these veterans would be familiar to Anthony through All-Star games, the Olympics, and the day-to-day operations of playing in the league. More significantly, he can still provide almost 15 points each game off the bench.
Anthony has yet to appear in an NBA Finals game. The Lakers’ main goal is to reach the NBA Finals. Anthony would definitely do anything for this squad if it meant winning his first NBA ring. What makes this scenario even better is that if Westbrook and DeRozan were added to the equation, he would be more willing to accept the veteran’s minimum.
Kevin Love should be signed (After Buyout)
At the trade deadline, the Cavaliers attempted to move Kevin Love. It was a complete failure. They’re now attempting to relocate him. With Love slated to earn $31 million this season and $28 million next, finding a way to reach a deal on a buyout would be in the Cavaliers’ best interests.
With Love on the roster, the Cavaliers will be unable to compete. Love is 32 years old and they are still years away from competing. Over the past three seasons, he has appeared in a total of 103 games. In only 25 games last season, Love averaged 12.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
Love is believed to be in good health, which means the Cavaliers may keep him until the season begins and play him. That would increase the team’s worth. With that stated, the Cavaliers may execute a buyout, allowing Love to pick his next destination. Blake Griffin has joined the Nets’ superteam. If given the chance, we might watch Love do the same thing.
Conclusion
With Anthony Davis and Marc Gasol at the center, the Lakers are set. Both Davis and Gasol are seasoned champions, with Davis winning in 2020 and Gasol in 2019. This position does not need an upgrade since the superteam is complete.
Assume that this roster includes the following players. Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Marc Gasol would be in the starting lineup. Davis is a power forward by trade, but he can also play center. For starters, Gasol would have to start at center until the Lakers decided to go smaller.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Carmelo Anthony, and Kevin Love would be the Lakers’ bench players. It would be even better if there was a way to keep Alex Caruso on the squad. The Lakers would have a squad that was at least nine guys deep right there. In the NBA, a fixed rotation of eight to nine players is all that is required, and this superteam could certainly hang with anybody.
The Nets have a solid starting lineup with Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Joe Harris, Kevin Durant, and DeAndre Jordan, as previously stated. Blake Griffin is a free agent, but he is likely to sign a contract extension. The Nets may have a formidable superteam as well, depending on what Spencer Dinwiddie does in free agency and how Bruce Brown develops. The Lakers would be able to compete with the Nets in this scenario, and perhaps defeat them in a seven-game series.
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In recent years the Los Angeles Lakers have lived up to their motto “Strength In Numbers” by winning championships and going far in the playoffs. However, the Lakers have been missing a true superteam that can compete with the rest of the league.. Read more about lakers super team 2004 and let us know what you think.
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