The Los Angeles Lakers currently have a roster that is good enough to contend for (and win) the NBA Championship. If the Lakers can reach their ultimate goal it will be LeBron James’ fifth championship and an NBA-leading 18th championship for the franchise.
It was a long journey between now and when the Lakers won the championship in 2020. There were a lot of questionable roster decisions and disappointment. Los Angeles went from winning the title to losing in the first round to not even making the playoffs. Thankfully, Rob Pelinka redeemed himself with an exceptional 2023 trade deadline.
There were a lot of busts in Los Angeles in that timeframe, with several of those busts not even in the league anymore. Whether it be because of retirement or for international play, the list of recent Lakers who are no longer in the NBA highlights how bad it was for the team for several years.
Another recent Lakers signing (who was incredibly hyped-up at the time) appears to be joining that list. While nothing is yet official, Kendrick Nunn is reportedly nearing a deal with Greek club Olympiacos.
Former Lakers guard Kendrick Nunn could be heading to Europe.
Nunn has received a two-year deal from Olympiacos and at this point, it waiting to see if there are going to be any NBA offers. At this point in the offseason, though, it does not seem likely that Nunn will get an offer.
Nunn’s fall from grace happened quick and has been sad to see. The 28-year-old guard was viewed as a very important member of the 2020 Miami Heat team that made it to the NBA Finals. He took a pay cut to come to the Lakers to prove himself and his career went the wrong way. After that, Nunn moved on from Klutch Sports and hired a new agent.
Typically, the Lakers are one of the best teams in the league in unlocking players and getting them to play to their full potential. If someone like Nunn doesn’t figure it out in LA, and the rest of the league doesn’t sign him, it is a sign that he simply might not be an NBA-quality player.
If Nunn does play in Europe he will hope to play well and regain some value to make the trek back to the NBA. But that is easier said than done.