Lakers Sign Multiple Free Agents After Losing Out On Kawhi Leonard
The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to sign multiple free agents to the team in light of Kawhi Leonard's decision to sign with the Clippers late on Friday night.
The Lakers, who were in the running to land Leonard before the All-Star free agent's decision, began filling out the roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis by agreeing to a two-year, $30 million deal with Danny Green. Green averaged 10.3 points and 4.0 rebounds with the Raptors en route to helping Toronto secure its first-ever NBA title.
The Lakers continued to expand on its supporting cast by adding free agent center DeMarcus Cousins on a one-year deal, $3.5 million deal.According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Miami Heat had interest in Cousins, but several Lakers players, including Davis, convinced him on playing in Los Angeles.
Free agent Rajon Rondo also agreed to sign a two-year deal with the Lakers.Rondo played last season on a $9 million deal, averaging 9.2 points and 8.0 assists with the team.
Los Angeles also re-signed three players from last season, bringing back Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, JaVale McGee and Alex Caruso on two-year deals. According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Caldwell-Pope's contract is worth $16 million, while McGee's will be for $8.2 million. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Caruso's deal is worth $5.5 million.
On Saturday, free-agent guard Quinn Cook reached an agreement with the Lakers on a two-year, $6 million deal, per Yahoo! Sports' Chris Haynes.
The Lakers had $32 million in cap space to work with after missing out on Leonard.
Green, Caldwell-Pope, McGee and Cook will all play alongside James and Davis—who the Lakers acquired from the Pelicans last month—as the team looks to improve last season's 37–45 record.
