The Lakers, among the most triumphant teams in the league yore, has won 17 championships in the annals of NBA history. In the 2022–23 season, the LA Lakers yet again reached the final/decider match of the Western Conference. This offseason, they have been actively enhancing their roster through free agency.
According to reports, the Lakers have already reached agreements with Taurean Prince, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Cam Reddish, giving them a strong core in addition to Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell. And it appears that LeBron James approves of the free-agent signings that the Los Angeles Lakers have made.
Lakers’ free agency activity earns LeBron’s stamp of approval
A lot of important players from their impeccable run to the last round of the Western Conference. They have returned, and the Gold and Purple have been one of the more active units in terms of free agency. The Lakers have also made several significant signing-ons to enhance the supporting cast behind Anthony Davis and “King” LeBron.
LeBron James' reaction to the Lakers' FA signings. He uploaded photos of his teammates on his Instagram story pic.twitter.com/QkRJPM1TVF
— Kit Guinhawa (@BeatKit22) July 1, 2023
LeBron James promptly posted a celebratory video to his Instagram Stories after watching all the moves the Lakers made. Even though he avoided posting anything, LeBron welcomed them with photographs he shared of Reaves, Hachimura, D’Lo, Prince, Vincent, Hayes, and Reddish. Several supporters interpreted it as LeBron giving his seal of approval.
Players that the Lakers sign in free agency
The Lakers got to operate on the first day of free agency, signing ‘Killer Cam’ Reddish, Gabe ‘Nnamdi’ Vincent, and Taurean ‘Chamillionaire’ Prince. They also settled on a new three-year, $51M agreement with Rui Hachimura.
LAKERS FREE AGENCY (SO FAR)
▫️Austin Reaves 4yr/$56M
▫️Gabe Vincent 3yr/$33M
▫️D’Angelo Russell 2yr/$37M
▫️Rui Hachimura 3yr/$51M
▫️Taurean Prince 1yr/$4.5M
▫️Cam Reddish 2yr/$4.5M
▫️Jaxson Hayes 2yr/minRob Pelinka is the best GM in basketball #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/8AVoKiSXWn
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) July 1, 2023
The Lakers then gave Austin Reaves the four-year, $56M Early Bird maximum contract on Day 2. They made sure to look after him. In addition, they signed former ‘The Big Easy’ Pelicans’ enormous guy Jaxson Hayes to a 2-year deal worth $37M and kept D’Angelo Russell.
Who did the Lakers lose in free agency?
Guard Dennis Schroder, who reportedly agreed to a two-year, multi-million dollar contract with the Toronto Raptors, left the Lakers as well. During his time in Los Angeles, Schroder gained some supporters, and these supporters may be unhappy to see him leave again. Schroder is receiving a sizable salary from the Raptors for moving up north, which helps lessen the blow of his departure.
Dennis Schroder, a free agency guard, and the Raptors have reached a two-year, $26M agreement. The roster improvement by the Lakers was unquestionably successful. Without a shadow of a doubt, they significantly improved with the acquisitions of Prince, Vincent, and Hayes, even if they lost Dennis Schroder, who signed with the Toronto Raptors.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether the new team can click right away and repeat LA’s late-season success from 2022–2023, yet there are several reasons to be hopeful.
