Free agency is crazy.
It had barely been open 24 hours and the market already felt like New York’s 5th Avenue Macy’s on Black Friday.
You know that festive feeling when you’ve dropped a pay cheque on some new Nikes, but you just have to get some amazing apparel to match?
After trading up for Russell Westbrook on draft day, the Lakers said you know what and went shopping on the first day of free agency.
And now reports are coming in that they’ve finally added Carmelo Anthony after all these years.
Rookie rivals and banana boat friends ‘Bron and ‘Melo finally teammates.
Expect big things.
They also went reuniting with some old friends. Bringing back Dwight Howard after they left him on hold last year with millions on the table as they went with Montrezl Harrell last offseason.
Now after trading ‘Trez along with Kyle Kuzma and KCP to DC, they needed to bolster and back-up their AD and Marc Gasol frontcourt. Especially with Andre Drummond now a Sixer.
Having Superman returning AGAIN is just out of this world. The last time was for redemption. This third charm is for the parade Howard still wants “dammit”.
With more reunions than ‘Friends’ and ‘The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air’ in tinseltown, they’ve even been looking into former player and fellow Philly free-agent Danny Green.
After bringing Westbrook home to the West many critics complained about their lack of perimeter players. Archer Wes Matthews is still on the table, but the signature arm inked celebration of Ben McLemore has signed a trail with the Blazers.
Nevertheless now Kent Bazemore and Wayne Ellington are back in play for LA.
Bazemore is someone Lakers Nation always thought the purple and gold should have kept hold of. Kent turned down more money with the Warriors for real gold. Ellington is another elite three-point shooter who even has the Mamba Mentality of Kobe tattooed to his leg.
Now that’s dedication.
Running it back towards a championship if you thought that was enough then how about this.
After 12 years the Lake Show brought the one championship certified legend they’ve been wanting to reunite with and bring home for years. Defensive maestro Trevor Ariza. Some may say his age makes the Lakers even more vulnerable, but LeBron is 36 and look at him. Sure he’s the King, but if the rings the thing next year, these seasoned vets can take them there.
Welcome back to the show guys!
Rob’s not done either. Pelinka’s just picked up last seasons breakout buzzing Hornet star Malik Monk.
Heat sophmore standout Kendrick Nunn also. As Kendrick Perkins says, “we’re watching ‘Space Jam’ in real life.”
Imagine keeping Talen Horton-Tucker too…because it’s happening.
You have to take the rough with the smooth though and even with all these reunion run backs the Lakers lost a cult hero in the Bald Mamba of Alex Caruso. More than a meme or a fan favorite. From the G-League to an NBA champion Alex made his name on D, behind the arc and above the rim. Soaring like a bald eagle.
The Carushow may be over, but after today maybe a reunion will be back on the cards one day.
AC Fresh reunites with former ‘LaVar Hollywood’ Laker Lonzo Ball who could have seen gold at the Bulls. Right after Chicago just gave cash to the former New Orleans hauled point guard who almost teamed up with his brother in Charlotte. Call it a big-three with Zach LaVine? Perhaps not, but Chicago is no longer B.S.
Elsewhere President of the Players Association Chris Paul just got PAID to the tune of $120 mill for four more with Phoenix. Out in Japan for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with Team USA, champion JaVale McGee going for gold also set a deal with the Suns.
Trae Young also super-maxed like Giannis with the Hawks. Like Blake Griffin in Brooklyn, Derrick Rose also stuck with New York, despite his own Chicago reunion rumors. Mike Conley put his face over Leonardo DiCaprio in ‘The Wolf Of Wall Street’ to tell the Utah Jazz over Instagram, “I’m not (expletive) leaving!”
One of the biggest free agency moves out the 6 was Kyle Lowry leaving the Raptors to take his sought after talents to South Beach with the Heat. Joining his welcome to Miami will be Milwaukee champion PJ Tucker, who bucked the Bucks for more money to add to his sneaker collection and warmer winters. It looks like Butler’s boys will be bubbling again next season.
Expect even more movers and shakers to mix things up by the time you get to the end of this article. Hey, even we may get snapped up by a team at this point as everyone’s getting big paydays like Oprah was handing out contracts.
I love free agency! You love free agency! Everybody loves free agency!
