From the start of the 2019-20 NBA season to the end, it always seemed like the Lakers were the team to beat with LeBron James and Anthony Davis and as a result, they won the franchise’s 17th NBA Championship and first title since 2010. Everything aligned for the Lakers to win the championship and the only thing on all of Laker Nation’s mind was to “do it for Kobe.”
Earlier in 2020, Lakers and NBA icon Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi lost their lives in a devastating helicopter accident, sending not just the Lakers community into shock and sorrow, but the entire NBA and entire sports world. Kobe’s passing shocked everyone worldwide and was honestly the lowest point of the entire 2019-20 NBA season. Teams and players around the country, in all levels of sports, not just basketball, mourned his death as Bryant was an idol to many of today’s NBA superstars and athletes all around the country.
The “Mamba Mentality” was something this Lakers organization embraced and they all came together even more to win a championship in honor of Kobe Bryant’s legacy. They were able to achieve their goal and now enter the 2020-21 NBA season as favorites to win back-to-back championships as a result of their offseason.
This offseason, Anthony Davis opted out of his $28.75M player option in order to reach a long-term contract extension with the Lakers. After working some other contracts out, they gave Davis a five-year, $190M max-contract and also gave LeBron James a two-year contract extension worth $85M. The two Lakers’ superstars are now under contract through the 2022-23 NBA season and will look to bring more titles to the city of Los Angeles.
If the Lakers are to win the 2020-21 NBA championship, it will be in large part thanks to GM Rob Pelinka and the job he has done turning this championship team into a potential dynasty. LeBron is still playing some of the best basketball of his career, as he will turn 36-years old this season, and while his production is key for their success, the Lakers offseason additionals will be the determining factor on whether or not this team can numerous titles over the next several seasons, starting with the 2020-21 NBA season.
