NBA 2020-21: The LA Lakers won the 2019-20 NBA Championship, albeit, in a bubble without fans. They have made a lot of trades in the NBA off-season. After re-signing their star duo, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they will be looking to retain the title.
They have also bought the Sixth man of the year, Montrezl Harrell from their rivals- LA Clippers, and Dennis Schroder from the OKC. With the season starting in less than 3 weeks and the preseason starting in a week, this could be the Lakers’ starting five:
Point Guard
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope re-signed with the LA Lakers on a three-year, $40 million deal.
He averaged 18.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4 assists per contest for the Thunder. He also managed a field goal of 46.9% from inside the arc, and 38.5% from the 3-point line.
Lakers head coach Rob Pelinka and this front office have been impressed by Schroder’s style of play. If he continues to play like he did last season, he will help the Lakers offensively by giving them another creator and capable shooter.
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Small Forward
LeBron James
While he can play at most of the positions, Small Forward is his original position. LeBron James recently signed a new 2-year, $85 million deal with the champions LA Lakers.
“King” James joined the 2018-19 season. In just one year, with the addition of Anthony Davis, LeBron James led the LA Lakers to an NBA title. He averaged 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists last season as he led them to the championship.
In 67 regular games last season, James averaged 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. He was named MVP of the NBA Finals after averaging 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists in six games against the Heat.
Center
Anthony Davis
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Alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis also signed a super-max extension contract to stay with the LA Lakers.
At 27 years old, Davis is the co-star of the Lakers with LeBron James — and the centerpiece of the franchise’s long-term future.
His arrival in a trade with New Orleans to join James elevated the Lakers out of six straight seasons in the draft lottery and hurtled them toward an eventual 2019-2020 NBA championship.
Davis elevated his performance in the postseason, averaging 27.7 points — on 57 percent shooting and 38 percent from the 3-point line — with 9.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals.
Power Foward
Montrezl Harrell
After selling both Dwight Howard and McGee, LA Lakers signed Montrezl Harrell. We could see him switch places with Marc Gasol as well.
Harrell signed for two years and $19 million with an option for the second season. The Lakers used the mid-level exception on the deal. Hence, their salary cap will not be affected.
He averaged 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds last season while rendering additions off the bench for an LA Clippers team that reached the second round of the postseason. They lost to Denver Nuggets.
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