Los Angeles Lakers: Assessing the worst 3 contracts on the roster

JaVale McGee signed a new two-year deal earlier this summer
JaVale McGee signed a new two-year deal earlier this summer

The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for a huge season. The team is coming off a yet another disappointing season that failed to produce playoff basketball, although the superstar pairing of LeBron James and Anthony Davis has raised expectations to historic levels ahead of the new campaign.

While the individual performances of James and Davis will be vital to the Lakers' chances of success, the organization is also hoping other members of a new-look roster can step up. After losing Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Lance Stephenson, and Reggie Bullock, the Lakers were forced to fill out a depleted roster during the postseason, and plenty of significant contracts were handed out.

However, while the Lakers did a good job rounding out their roster, not every deal appears to be a home run, and here we will examine the three worst contracts on the Los Angeles roster.


#3 Danny Green

Danny Green impressed for the Raptors during the 2019 NBA Finals
Danny Green impressed for the Raptors during the 2019 NBA Finals

Danny Green signed with the Lakers less than 48 hours after Kawhi Leonard snubbed the franchise to sign with the Clippers. Green had attracted interest from the Dallas Mavericks, although the Lakers moved quickly to ward off competition from their Western Conference rivals.

The Lakers secured Green's signature with a two-year, $30 million contract, although the lack of remaining quality free agents caused Los Angeles to overpay for the former San Antonio star.

Green is coming off an impressive postseason with the Toronto Raptors, and is among the better two-way players in the NBA, although $15 million per season is an enormous amount to pay for a 32-year-old that struggled with his shot last year. Ultimately, Green will be a valuable addition to the Lakers, although his large deal has left the franchise with little room to make further additions next summer.

#2 JaVale McGee

Los Angeles Lakers v Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers v Los Angeles Clippers

Following his move to the Lakers last summer, JaVale McGee promptly demonstrated the best form of his career. The veteran struck up a notable partnership with LeBron James and was putting up the best numbers of his career before the All-Star break. However, the 31-year-old struggled for form and minutes as Los Angeles' season derailed, and the former McGee was expected to depart the organization in free agency.

However, after he failed to generate much interest in free agency, the Lakers agreed to bring the centre back on a two-year $8.2 million contract. While McGee's contract was not among the most inflated deals handed out during a summer of madness, it was still a surprise to see the veteran earn more than a one-year minimum deal. McGee will turn 33 in the second year of his contract, and the Lakers should have targeted a younger centre such as Nerlens Noel.

#1 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hasn't made much of an impact in Los Angeles
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hasn't made much of an impact in Los Angeles

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has spent the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, although the former Pistons man has failed to make much of an impact. Caldwell-Pope was reliable during his first season on a Lakers team that had few aspirations, although the 26-year-old was relegated to the bench following the arrival of LeBron James.

Throughout the 18-19 season, Caldwell-Pope managed just 24.8 minutes per game, averaging 11.4 points and 2.9 rebounds. However, the shooting guard's decision to wait for a new deal with the Lakers paid off, as he was handed a new two-year contract and worth $16 million.

With the Lakers bringing in Troy Daniels and Avery Bradley in free agency, Caldwell-Pope is expected to struggle for minutes, and the guard is unlikely to be a starter under Frank Vogel. With the Lakers short on bigs, a trade may be explored ahead of the deadline.

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Edited by Sai Teja