After trading for Russell Westbrook in the summer of 2021, the Lakers’ roster was built of three max contracts, a half-dozen veteran’s minimums, Kendrick Nunn on the taxpayer mid-level extension, and Talen Horton Tucker on a $10 million extension. By razing their formerly robust middle class for the benefit of another over-the-hill one-percenter, the Lakers cost themselves a year-and-a-half of contention, only restoring their status as “veritable contenders” once they rebuilt their roster with credible mid-tier contributors at this past trade deadline.
Doubling down on their balanced build after a postseason run that took them into the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers began this offseason by signing free agents Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent to guaranteed three-year deals.