2. Kendrick Nunn
Kendrick Nunn was the one contract exception, outside of THT, and did not sign a minimum deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Instead, Nunn signed the Taxpayer’s MLE with the Lakers and was arguably the most surprising signing of the entire offseason.
Getting Nunn at that price point is fantastic and Nunn reportedly even took less money on a prove-it deal with the Lakers. He does have a player option in year two but barring a horrible or injury-ladened season, chances are he is opting out after this season.
That could throw a wrench in the Los Angeles Lakers’ potential plans to keep Nunn around long-term, especially if he balls out in LA and plays his way into a bigger deal.
However, the Lakers do have the money to potential bring Nunn back. The team does not have Bird Rights on Nunn but $5 million will be freed up from Luol Deng’s stretch provision and as we have seen time and time again, teams can move money around to keep guys in town.
When the Lakers signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope it seemed like he was only going to be a one-year option and would price himself out of LA. He ultimately didn’t and with Nunn recently signing with Klutch, I would not be shocked if he follows in similar footsteps and is in LA for another four seasons.