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Grading Lakers’ $131 million free agency spending spree after blockbuster Walker Kessler trade
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- Grading Lakers’ $131 million free agency spending spree after blockbuster Walker Kessler trade
Grading Lakers' $131 million free agency spending spree after blockbuster Walker Kessler trade appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
After securing Walker Kessler first via a sign-and-trade with the Utah Jazz , the Los Angeles Lakers turned their attention to the filling out the rest of the roster via free agency. Almost immediately after the Kessler deal was announced, the Lakers came to terms on free agent contracts with Quentin Grimes , Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton .
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In essence, the Lakers replaced their own free agents with the new additions. Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard are both gone for the Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns , respectively. Following the recent agreements, it looks doubtful that Rui Hachimura is back.
But are the Lakers truly a better team following their big free agency splash? Combined with the Walker Kessler trade, this offseason has been a mixed bag for the Lakers thus far. And there's an argument to made that they should have spent more effort in trying to bring back their own free agents. Here's a quick breakdown, and a final grade for the Lakers' moves after grabbing their starting center.
Lakers make multiple free agency signings
On the outside, the Lakers addressed backcourt and frontcourt departures with their initial flurry of free agent agreements. With Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard gone, the Lakers needed reinforcements at the guard position. With the likely departure of Rui Hachimura, they needed a forward replacement. Enter guards Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton and forward Sandro Mamukelashvili.
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When it comes to Grimes, he is better offensively than any guard the Lakers had last season not named Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves . The past couple of seasons he's developed into a consistent double-digit scorer on rather solid percentages.
Across 75 games with the Philadelphia 76ers last season, he averaged 13.4 points while shooting 45 percent from the field and 33.4 percent from 3-point range. He is a passable defensive player as well. As of now, he figures to slot in the starting lineup with both Doncic and Reaves. It was a good signing for a player who brings something a little different than what the Lakers had last season.
After Grimes, it's a little less uncertain. Right before the free agency period began, the rumor mill suggested that Smart was going to receive a bigger pay day than the Lakers would be able to counter with. Instead, he ended up with the Rockets on a similar deal to what he signed with the Lakers last offseason.
In his place, the Lakers came to terms with Sexton on a contract that's bigger financially with the same amount of years. There's no question that Sexton is better offensive player than Smart. Nobody will deny that. And he's coming off a very efficient year of 48.5 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from 3-point range.
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But if the money was going to be similar, Smart fit better for what the Lakers need. And his presence in the locker room and his leadership amongst the younger players is something you can't put a price on. Ask anyone on the Lakers' roster last season and they'll tell you how contagious Smart's energy and effort was on a nightly basis.
The potential trade off just for Sexton's offense doesn't seem like much of an upgrade. Especially considering the firepower the Lakers have in the backcourt with Doncic, Reaves and now Grimes.
And then there's an argument to be made that if Mamukelashvili is essentially replacing Hachimura, then that's a lateral move at best. Hachimura fit alongside the Lakers' stars. He worked relentlessly on his shooting to become one of the best catch-and-shoot players in the NBA.
Mamukelashvili is obviously a little more well-rounded offensively than Hachimura is. But there's something to be said for keeping continuity and rewarding the players who have sacrificed to be a part of the system. This move in particular is the wild card. If the former Seton Hall big man can adequately replace Hachimura while bringing another level on offense, the grade for the Lakers' free agency moves could rise higher.
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But for now, essentially choosing Sexton over Smart doesn't grade very high in the offseason rankings.
Final Grade: B-/C+
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