NBA Free Agency 2021: The defending champions LA Lakers have been knocked out in the 1st Round by the Phoenix Suns.
The last NBA Champions to get knocked out in 1st round of the NBA Playoffs were the San Antonio Spurs in 2015.
The Lakers were 21-7 and had the 2nd best record in the league when both LeBron and Davis were fit. However, after injuries to their two superstars, the Lakers went 23-26 (including the playoffs).
“The one thing that bothers me more than anything is we never really got an opportunity to see our full team at full strength,” LeBron James said. “Either because of injury or COVID or something going on with our ballclub this year, we could never fully get into a rhythm and never really see the full potential of what we could be capable of.”
Our ‘Access SportsNet: Lakers’ panel discuss the #Lakers free agents and offseason priorities. pic.twitter.com/dABycVbiIs
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) June 4, 2021
NBA Free Agency 2021: However, it is time for a rebuild now, and here are 3 Free Agents that the Lakers must consider
Age: 35
2020-21 Salary: $30 million
2020-21 Stats: 17.2 ppg, 7.3 apg, 5.4 rpg | 43.6% FG, 39.6% 3P, 87.5% FT
The Raptors toppled through the 2020-21 season with external factors, but Lowry still has a ton to offer as a tenacious defender and veteran leader.
His name was announced to be connected to the Philadelphia 76ers (his hometown team), Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers at last offseason’s trade deadline.
With a poor show from Dennis Schroder, the Lakers could do very well with the skill and expertise of Kyle Lowry at the guard position.
Age: 27
2020-21 Salary: $5 million
2020-21 Stats: 14.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg | 63.7% FG, 18.2% 3P (11 attempts), 79.4% FT
With Anthony Davis out for most of the season, the big man missed Game 6 of the NBA Playoffs against the Suns as well. Andre Drummond has been good as a paint beast but is not a consistent scorer. With Richuan Holmes added to the list, the Lakers will improve their squad depth.
Holmes has converted himself from an energy big early in his career into a more-than-capable starter.
Non-floor-spacing bigs are regarded as an extinct breed by some, but a professional year just as he registers his prime could lead to a sizable raise for Holmes this offseason.
Age: 31
2020-21 Salary: $27.7 million
2020-21 Stats: 21.6 ppg, 6.9 apg, 4.2 rpg | 49.5% FG, 25.7% 3P, 88% FT
Being an all-star, the Lakers will be able to play with 3 NBA All-Stars. Although DeRozan is not as quick as he used to be. But he fits right into the Lakers system.
DeRozan could have been a leading name in last summer’s free-agent class but chose into the final year of his contract with the Spurs.
In that season, he had the highest assist average, and second-highest true shooting percentage (59.1), of his career while playing minutes at both forward spots.
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