Los Angeles Lakers: Assessing the best 3 contracts on the roster for the 19-20 season

The 2018-19 NBA season was a disappointment for the Los Angeles Lakers, although the organization has regrouped during a summer of change. Frank Vogel has replaced Luke Walton as head coach, while Rob Pelinka has taken over executive duties following the sudden departure of Magic Johnson.

The Lakers roster has also experienced significant changes, with less than half of the 18-19 squad returning for the upcoming campaign. While the LA's decision to offer Kentavious Caldwell-Pope a two-year $16 million deal looks like a misstep, overall the franchise has recruited well. So, as we approach the 2019-20 NBA season, here are the best contracts on the Lakers roster.

#3 Rajon Rondo: $5.1 million (two-years)

Rajon Rondo played 46 times for the Lakers last season

After signing LeBron James last summer, the Los Angeles Lakers proceeded to bring in several veteran talents to put around their new superstar. The likes of JaVale McGee, Lance Stephenson, Tyson Chandler, and Michael Beasley all arrived on small salaries, although Rajon Rondo was offered a much larger one-year $9 million deal.

Rondo spent much of the season jostling with Lonzo Ball for the starting spot, and many analysts argued that Rondo's salary should have been used on adding shooters. The former All-Star was expected to depart after a lone season in Los Angeles, although Rondo opted to take a drastic pay cut and return on a two-year deal worth just over $5 million.

With a lack of cap-space remaining, Rondo's return on such a cheap contract was a significant boost for the Lakers, and the 33-year-old is expected to starter under Vogel. The former Celtics man was also credited as a positive force in the LA locker room last season, and Rondo will help to mentor emerging talent such as Alex Caruso.

#2 DeMarcus Cousins: $3.5 million (one-year)

DeMarcus Cousins' move to the Los Angeles Lakers was lauded as one of the best moves of the summer

DeMarcus Cousins is expected to miss the entire 2019-20 season due to an ACL injury, although at the point of signing his contract, the Lakers had arguably pulled off the biggest steal of the summer. To secure Cousins to a one-year deal, Los Angeles had to cough up just $3.5 million, and the move also reunited him with his former teammate, Anthony Davis.

Just 18 months ago, Cousins was on the verge of earning a maximum deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, and while injuries ended the four-time All-Star's hopes of a huge payday, he managed to impress during his comeback season with the Warriors.

Whether or not Cousins ever makes an appearance for the Lakers is now anyone's guess, although the organization should explore bringing back the 29-year-old on a similar deal next summer.

#1 LeBron James: $154 million (four years)

LeBron James is aiming to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a championship

Before LeBron James arrived in Los Angeles last summer, the franchise was in disarray. Despite annually finishing near the bottom of the West standings, the Lakers had failed to maximize their lottery picks and Lonzo Ball hadn't exactly lit up the NBA during his much-hyped rookie season.

However, LeBron's arrival instantly reenergized the fading franchise, and while his first season didn't go as planned, Los Angeles has since been able to attract Anthony Davis.

Not everybody agrees that a 34-year-old James is still the NBA's best player, although his numbers throughout the 18-19 season remained spectacular, and the King now has the pieces around him to challenge the best teams in the West.

Los Angeles' decision to offer James a four-year, $154 million last summer has been a home run, and it is difficult to believe that the 4-time MVP enters the new season as just the seventh highest-paid player in the league.