Who won and lost in Lakers free agency?
The Los Angeles Lakers underwent big changes in the offseason after they were swept in the second round by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Lakers looked to be a championship threat throughout March, but injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves derailed the rest of their regular season, and Luka would miss both rounds of the playoffs.
The offseason started with LeBron James informing the team that he would not be back for his ninth season, and continued with the losses of Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, Luke Kennard, and Deandre Ayton.
To offset the losses, the Lakers added Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, Mattise Thybulle, Jaden Hardy, and Ziaire Williams.
Winner - Luka Doncic
The team went all in on the strengths of Luka in the offseason. Instead of making LeBron a priority, they decided to give Luka players who he would benefit from and who would benefit from him.
Kessler is the bulking rim runner that Luka has been wanting; Grimes, Mamukelashvili, and Hardy are floor spacers. Williams and Thybulle are defensive disruptors, and Sexton is a true backup point guard.
This is Luka's team now.
Loser - Team Chemistry
Revamping your entire team, especially a team that finished fourth in the West and won a playoff series without its best player, is a risky move.
They lost their entire starting lineup from game one of the playoffs and will go into this season returning just two starters. They've had a college-level team turnover, and that rarely translates to long-term success in the NBA.
Winner - Austin Reaves
There was no real doubt that Austin Reaves was going to get paid in the offseason after he declined his player option. He ended up getting paid by the Lakers, who signed him to a four-year, $180 million deal.
Reaves has spent his career as the third option behind LeBron and Anthony Davis, and then LeBron and Luka, but grew into the second option last season.
Now, there is no doubt about it, he's the second option and the Lakers have put a lot of faith in him as one of the faces of the franchise moving forward.
Loser - Future Draft Capital
The Lakers went all in for Walker Kessler, dealing unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033, alongside first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.
The trade has left the Lakers with just their own first-round pick in 2032 as potential trade capital. They do have three second-round picks.
Their draft capital could take another hit if a sign-and-trade for Jonathan Kuminga is eventually worked out.
