The Los Angeles Lakers on Monday have agreed to a deal with Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, and Watne Ellington to one-year deals. Lakers rumours have been swirling all offseason around 2021 NBA free agency.
Howard’s retur to the Lakers provides the team with some extra depth at the centre position. He spent last year for the Philadelphia 76ers.
A role similar to the one he played in Lakers, when he took turns in the role with JaVale McGee. In 17 minutes of on court avarage, he racked up 7 points and 8.4 rebounds in 2020/21. Alongside lob throwers like LeBron James and Russell Westbrook, he will also feast on dunks at times, while giving this overhauled roster some extra defensive continuity.
Ariza returning to the Lakers with a veteran role. He will provide the club with a 3 and D wing that has championship experience. The 36-year-old winger was champion in 2008/09 and was in the Miami Heat, where in 30 games he scored 9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds last seasons.
Meanwhile, Ellington is one of the best shooters in the NBA and will be a threat with Lebron on the court. The 33-year-old guard scored his best perimeter avarage in 2020/21 playing for the Detroit Pistons. In all, there were 9.6 points per game for the Michigan team.
The Lakers still have a lot of work to do at free agency. In addition to losing Kyle Kuzuma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Montrezl Harrel, who were involved in the Washington Wizards trade, point guard Alex Caruso made a deal with the Chicago Bulls for four seasons. So far, the team has only seven players under contract in the squad.
