Los Angeles Lakers: 4 biggest myths about the Anthony Davis trade
By Amaar Burton
2. The Lakers just gutted their roster
Remember the season before the Miami Heat signed LeBron and Chris Bosh to play alongside Dwyane Wade and form an instant title contender?
In 2009-10, the Heat purposely put together a roster full of players with expiring contracts, planning ahead to pursue multiple big-name free agents in the summer of 2010. One could argue that Miami gutted its roster to get LeBron and Bosh.
Or, one could argue that Miami had a roster that was built to be rebuilt, and it worked to the tune of two championships in 2012 and 2013.
The Lakers were in a similar position leading up to the Davis deal. After signing LeBron last summer, they went about putting together a roster of expiring contracts and attractive trade assets.
Los Angeles had only eight players under contract for next season, and only five of them were actual rotation players: LeBron, Lonzo, Ingram, Kuzma and Hart.
Three of those five are now gone. But remember, Davis is coming in along with probably one big-name free agent. So the Lakers only really gave up three young possible stars, and will probably get back two veteran real stars.
Losing three and gaining two is not gutting a roster.