Los Angeles Lakers: Grading the signings from free agency
DeMarcus Cousins: B+
Rob Pelinka bounced back from missing out on Kawhi Leonard quite nicely by signing DeMarcus Cousins to a one-year, $3.5 Million deal.
Free agent center DeMarcus Cousins has agreed to a one-year deal with the Lakers, agent Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2019
The former All-Star had a nice season back from injury with the Golden State Warriors. He averaged 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists in just under 26 minutes per game. He also picked up a block and a half and a steal per game, polishing off his balanced stat line. He struggled heavily in the final series against the Raptors, though, with a series-high in points for him being just 14.
Despite his playoff struggles, DeMarcus Cousins on a one-year $3.5 Million deal is a steal for the Lakers. Cousins has definitely lost a step, but has also showed glimpses of his old self at times. Furthermore, last season was his first back from tearing his Achilles, in which he did an acceptable job. Chances are, that Cousins will improve this season and then continue to work himself back into playing like the player he used to.
The Clippers were immediately looked at as the superior team in Los Angeles, after acquiring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Therefore, the Lakers had to upgrade their roster with talent, and adding the former All-Star Center in DeMarcus Cousins does just that.
- DeMarcus Cousins’ 36 minutes per game averages last season: 22.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.9 steals, and 2.1 blocks.
Danny Green: A-
Immediately after it was reported that Kawhi Leonard was signing with the Clippers, the Lakers signed one of the leagues best two-way players, Danny Green. The deal is reportedly for two years, and worth $30 Million.
Free agent guard Danny Green will sign a two-year, $30M deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2019
Green shot a career best 45% from three this past season and helped the Raptors win it’s first NBA championship, and his second. Danny Green is a great fit with just about any team, but he’ll especially fit well with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers.
Green will be given the task of defending some of the leagues best guards, while also spacing the floor for James and Davis to maximize their offensive abilities. The Lakers missed out on the leagues best two-way player in Kawhi Leonard, but were at least able to land a great two-way player in Danny Green.
The addition of Danny Green was perfect and would have been worthy of an A+ grade if the Lakers didn’t have to pay as much as they did for him.
- Green’s 36 minutes per game averages last season: 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.2 three’s.