NFL
By: Chris Jordan
Since the start of NBA free agency, the Los Angles Lakers have been making moves nonstop to improve their roster around their new big three in LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook.
The Los Angles Lakers are looking to make another run at another title this upcoming season after a disappointing ending to the season last year.
The Lakers were eliminated out the first round by the Phoenix Suns in six games. The injury to Anthony Davis and the lack of a good supporting cast played a part in why the Lakers fell short of their goal which was winning another championship.
During the offseason, the talk all summer was what will the Lakers do to improve their roster and who should they trade for.
The Lakers knew they needed to add some star power to their roster because LeBron James will be turning 37 years old in December and Davis has shown over the years that durability is always a question mark for him.
During the NBA 2021 NBA draft, the Los Angles Lakers decide to trade Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell- Pope, and a first-round pick to the Washington Wizards for the Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook is a future Hall of Famer and he’s done almost everything a player can do in the NBA. The only goal that Westbrook hasn’t accomplished yet is a championship.
Westbrook hasn’t been back to the NBA finals since 2012 when he was playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Since Kevin Durant left the Thunder back in 2016. Westbrook hasn’t had the best playoff success with the Thunder and the Houston Rockets.
Westbrook has been knocked out the first round 4 out of 5 times. Despite, having great individual success with winning the 2017 MVP while averaging a triple-double 4 times in the last 5 years.
Westbrook has yet proved that he can win a championship. Playing alongside James and Davis for the Los Angles Lakers can be something special for Westbrook because he actually has a really great chance at winning a championship with the Lakers. [pickup_prop id=”8034″]
When the Lakers traded for Westbrook the talk was the lack of perimeter shooting because Westbrook, James, and Davis are not great when it comes to shooting shots from the perimeter.
The Lakers added Wayne Ellington from the Detriot Pistons. Ellington shot 42 percent from three this past season.
The Lakers also added Carmelo Anthony and Malik Monk who both shot 40 percent from the three.
The Lakers brought back familiar faces in Dwight Howard and Trevor Ariza. Howard and Ariza both won championships for the Lakers. They’re both gonna bring that veteran presence to the Lakers because they both played a significant role during their championship run with the Lakers.
One of the most important addictions the Lakers made during free agency was acquiring Kendrick Nunn from the Miami Heat.
Nunn is a player that can create his own shot, he can move off the ball, he can make plays for others, he can score the ball on all three levels, and Nunn is only 26 years old.
The Lakers are an older team so having a young player like Nunn can make a difference throughout the season and the postseason.
The Lakers on paper look like they will be favorites to come out of the west this upcoming season. The big question is health and age.
Will Anthony Davis be healthy this season?
Can LeBron James still play at an MVP level because he’s entering his 19th season?
Can Russell Westbrook and James coexist with each other or will they find a way to make it work?
Will Carmelo Anthony and LeBron win a championship together?
