The Los Angeles Lakers had a ton of turnover on their roster this NBA offseason. They had double-digit new players join the team as Ro Pelinka was busy filling out the roster in free agency.
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Talen Horton-Tucker were the only holdovers from last season’s roster. They also signed only one player from another team to a deal bigger than a veteran’s minimum contract; Kendrick Nunn.
The Lakers signed Nunn away from the Miami Heat after they denounced his rights, making him an unrestricted free agent. Nunn would agree to a two-year, $10.25 million deal in free agency with Los Angeles.
It was a shocking deal when it was first reported. Many people believed that Nunn could earn at least $10.25 million annually, let alone for the duration of a two-year contract. But, the allure of winning with the Lakers was too much to pass up on and he signed his deal. Unfortunately for he and the team, he has not yet gotten on the court.
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Nunn has been dealing with what was described as a bone bruise and has missed all 39 games and counting thus far this season. However, he is approaching a return, which will be a boost for the team’s backcourt.
What can we expect from him once he gets on the court? He won’t be eased into action, as he will have a prominent role according to Frank Vogel.
Frank Vogel: "Kendrick [Nunn] is going to get a ton of minutes when he gets back healthy."
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) January 5, 2022
With Rajon Rondo being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, there is a huge vacancy at the point guard position behind Russell Westbrook. Nunn will step into that role once he is healthy enough to get onto the court.
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Nunn was expected to have a major role with the team upon his signing and that still seems like it will be the case. Los Angeles can use all the help they can get as they have limped out to a 20-19 record thus far this season.
The second unit for the Los Angeles Lakers has a chance to be quite potent when at full strength. Adding Kendrick Nunn to the mix along with Carmelo Anthony, Malik Monk and Talen Horton-Tucker provides Vogel with a lot of firepower off the bench, something they had lacked at times last season.