Storyline: It looks like the Lakers have once again wasted another year of having money but making poor free agent decisions.
We’re early in this year’s NBA Free Agency hunt, but one team I’m questioning already is the Los Angeles Lakers. Here’s why.
They kicked off Free Agency by agreeing to terms with Timofey Mozgov on a 4-year, $64 million dollar deal (ESPN.com). I really question that signing because Mozgov only averaged 6.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game last year.
Courtesy: NBA.com
He’s not worth that kind of money. He only started 48 games last year for the Cavaliers, and it’s evident that the Cavs didn’t think of him as being the guy long term.
I also question the signing because the Lakers had enough Cap Space to possibly sign two guys to max contracts–and guys were available, like Joakim Noah, Al Horford, and Andre Drummond–guys who could have given the Lakers much more production in the long run.
According to SBNation.com the Lakers agreed to a 4-year, $72 million dollar deal with Luol Deng. I understand that free agents are being paid more money these days because of cap expansion, but why, Mitch Kupchak, why?
The signing makes no sense as Deng is 31-years old with slowly declining production. Deng only averaged 12.3 points per game last year and only 14 points per game the year before that. It’s evident that Deng has not been the same guy since being traded from Chicago a few years ago. I don’t expect much of an increase in production from Deng because of his age and nagging injuries.
Courtesy: NBA.com
Then there’s Jordan Clarkson. I understand that he’s a Restricted Free Agent and the Lakers were going to have to over pay to keep him, but the jury is still out on whether he can be a starting lineup-caliber player.
So it looks like the Lakers have once again wasted another year of having the money, but making poor decisions with it. If I were Jeanie Buss I would be telling Mitch Kupchak to clean out his office. I’d also start making a pitch to Phil Jackson because the Lakers just can’t get anything right these days!
As a Laker fan I understand your problem with these signings. I will say that at least the team has accepted the fact that they are not going to get any big time FA signings until the team gets better. They didn’t have a chance at Durant-Horford-Drummond and signed some vets like Deng/Mozgov to help their young corp. The money looks horrible, but everybody isn’t getting paid right now and they needed to spend on something to improve the team. the key for the Lakers is Randle-Russel-Clarkston-Ingrahm. These guys need to show something to get any FA to sign with them. Just being LA doesn’t work anymore. Keep up with the writing!