NBA Free Agency Round-up: 1st July - LeBron James signs with Lakers; KD, PG13 & CP3 re-sign with former teams

2018 NBA Finals - Game Two
Kevin Durant and LeBron James

#3 The Los Angeles Lakers consolidate LeBron's supporting cast

Indiana Pacers v Miami Heat - Game 6
Old rivals reunite

The Lakers, in addition to adding LeBron, have also signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, JaVale McGee and Lance Stephenson. While Caldwell-Pope sparkled as a sniper from January onwards for the Lakers last season, shooting 42% or more from downtown every month, he also played some great perimeter defense through the course of the entire season. He came for a discount of $6 million as well, having played the 2017-18 season on a 1-year, $18 million deal and now signing a 1-year, $12 million contract.

McGee was indisputably the Warriors' best frontcourt player during their playoff run. He was one of the few players who were actually decent at guarding James one-on-one, and he played stifling defense in the first round as well as the Finals, which were the two series that he was put to the greatest use. He signed a minimum deal with the Lakers yesterday.

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Possibly the most intriguing addition the Lakers made was that of Lance Stephenson. The journeyman has played in LA in the past (for the Clippers). The Pacers had a $4.3 million team option on his deal, which they did not pick up - leaving him a free agent. The 6'5", 230-pound swingman joins the Lakers on a 1-year, $4.5 million deal and will be an able playmaker off the bench for them.

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Edited by Yash Matange
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