Los Angeles Lakers: Complete 2018 offseason grades
By Dan Lovi
Overall
After half a decade of losing, the Los Angeles Lakers are ready to get back to their winning ways. The moves they made this offseason has jumpstarted them into the right direction.
While it’s unlikely they contend for a title in the first year of this new regime, they will certainly make a playoff push — LeBron James all but assures that.
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In addition to adding the No.1 offseason prize, the Lakers maintained their cap space for the 2019 offseason by surrounding James with players on one-year deals. Now they can pursue Kawhi Leonard and other big free agents next summer.
Also, the veterans they brought in on the one-year contracts are some of the grittiest players in the league. Rondo and McGee bring championship experience, while Stephenson and Beasley bring a toughness that’s sometimes necessary on the court.
It’s still early, but the Lakers seem to have hit on their second round pick, Svi Mykhailiuk. Moe Wagner could also have a role this season as the team’s backup center.
Missing out on Paul George seemed to sting at first, but all-in-all, the Lakers got the big fish, the King.
Now equipped with the superstar they’ve been yearning for since Kobe Bryant left the building, the Los Angeles Lakers are ready to take the league by storm.
Final Grade: A