July 1st 2023.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been busy this off season, having already made multiple moves to improve their roster. Most notably, they have agreed to a three-year, $51 million contract with Rui Hachimura, making him the first Japanese player ever to be drafted in the first round of the NBA draft. Hachimura is a versatile player who can guard wings, guards and sometimes even Nikola Jokic, as well as being a viable threat from beyond the arc. At the age of 25, he is still relatively young and will be a key member of the Lakers' post-LeBron era.
The Lakers have also picked up Cam Reddish, Gabe Vincent and Taurean Prince in free agency, which all appear to be moves intended to address the team's lack of three-point scoring and defense. Austin Reaves was also given a four-year max extension, creating a strong core of young players they can build around. Jaxon Hayes was also signed to help provide rim protection, an area where the Lakers struggled with even with Anthony Davis on the roster. The Lakers also re-signed Deangelo Russell, who will be back on a team-friendly deal with a player option after the second year of his contract.
Overall, the reaction from Laker Nation has been very positive. They managed to retain the majority of the players that went on a Cinderella-type run during last year's playoffs, while adding more youth and versatility to their roster. With LeBron James still on the roster and the team having made significant moves during free agency, the future looks bright for the Lakers and they are in a strong position to make a push for the playoffs this year.
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