3. The Lakers executed their two-part plan
It is obvious now that the Lakers front office had a two-part plan for the offseason:
Part 1:
They successfully traded for Davis with little regard to the cost. AD is one of the most talented players in the league and is only 26 years old. Obviously, the team is confident he will indeed follow through with his stated intention to re-sign with the Lakers a year from now when his contract expires. And they managed to hang onto one young budding star, Kyle Kuzma.
Part 2:
Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss opted to focus only on signing Kawhi. They truly believed they could land the biggest fish in free agency, knowing full well that such laser vision would mean they’d miss out on the chance to sign any other star or a host of complementary players.
But they were still realistic enough to devise a Plan 2B in case Leonard went elsewhere. And to their credit, after Leonard announced he was going to the other LA team, they implemented that plan immediately. In less than a day, the Lakers got commitments from seven other free agents, including four that played for them this past season.
Specifically, the Lakers added:
• Guards Danny Green and Quinn Cook, both of whom connected on over 40% of their 3-point attempts and 77% of their free throw attempts last year. Green is also one of the league’s best perimeter defenders. With Davis and James attracting so much defensive attention, the Lakers might well start both Green and Cook in the backcourt.
• Point guard Rajon Rondo, who took a pay cut to return. He is still adept at quarterbacking an offense. But because he is a below-average defender and shooter, he might be best used to run the second unit.
• Guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who also accepted a pay cut. In both years with the Lakers, KCP has not been very good during the season’s first half but has been a strong contributor after the All-Star break. At his best, he is a good outside shooter and defender.
• Guard Alex Caruso, a two-way player the last two years, received a full contract with the varsity Lakers. In 25 games this past season, he shot an outrageous 48% from behind the arc, although in 37 games the previous year his percentage was just 30%. The Lakers would be happy even if his marksmanship falls to around his lifetime 40%. He also brings great energy off the bench and at 6-5 can play either guard position.
• Center JaVale McGee, who returns for his second Lakers season. The beginning and end to his first season were excellent, although in-between a bout of pneumonia rendered him noticeably less effective. When healthy, his incredible leaping ability makes him an exceptional finisher at the hoop and a first-rate rim protector on defense, where he averaged two blocks per game.
• Center DeMarcus Cousins, who represents the most intriguing signing. Before he tore his Achilles tendon a year and a half ago, Boogie was regarded as the top center in the league, a 25+ point per game scorer with a nice 3-point touch who garnered 11-12 boards a night. He played 65 games over parts of two seasons in New Orleans where he teamed with Davis to form an outstanding duo.
Last year he returned from the injury to play just 30 games with the Warriors and recorded many of the lowest numbers since his rookie year. But he still averaged 16 points and eights rebounds in just 26 minutes and shot 48% from the field.
Cousins tore his left quad in the playoffs yet somehow managed to return during the Finals, but for the most part, was a shadow of his former self. He was unable to elevate much or move very well laterally.
If he physically recovers enough from his injuries to perform anywhere close to how he used to, the Lakers not only would have gotten the biggest free agent bargain but might just have a Big Three after all.
Cousins’ contract is for just one year, the same as both Jared Dudley and Troy Daniels. The other six free agents listed above all signed two-year deals. This is another part of Pelinka’s Part B Plan.
The reason is that a year ago, James signed a contract for three years with a one-year player option. So the Lakers have set things up so that when LeBron’s three years are up two years from now, they will have room under the salary cap to add another max contract.