Lakers busy day one of free agency

The Lakers were active as free agency began. They started off by signing Taurean Prince to a one-year $4.5 million deal using their bi-annual exception. 

Prince is a 6-foot-7 forward that can defend multiple positions and is a good three-point shooter.

He averaged 9/2/2 on 47/38/84 shooting splits. Prince’s defense and shooting will fit Darvin Ham’s system extremely well. The 29-year-old should be an impactful role player for LA.

Love the Taurean Prince signing! He’s a 6’7 solid defender that can guard multiple positions and shoot the 3 near 40% 🔥

And it only took $4.5M! pic.twitter.com/1ZkDp78vk0

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) June 30, 2023

The Lakers also signed Gabe Vincent on a three-year $33 million deal. Vincent was the starting point guard for the Miami Heat in the playoffs on their trip to the NBA Finals.

He averaged 13/1/4 on 40/38/88 shooting splits. He is a selfless player that can shoot the three-ball and play solid defense. Vincent is an upgrade at guard over Dennis Schroder. He will be a quality role player for this roster.

Vincent averaged 12.7 points and 3.5 assists on 40/38/88 splits in the playoffs with the Miami Heat

The 27-year-old guard is a solid defender and shooter

Solid guard pickup for LA https://t.co/dCaNOS3lYj

— Ben Cooper (@BenCooperNBA) June 30, 2023

Pelinka then re-signed Rui Hachimura to a three-year $51 million deal. Hachimura was pivotal for the Lakers in the playoffs. He averaged 12/4/1 on 56/49/88 shooting splits. Hachimura has grown into a quality two-way player.

He defended well in the postseason and consistently knocked down mid-range and three-point jumpers. Re-signing Hachimura was a great decision from the front office.

LA also added Cam Reddish on a two-year minimum deal with a player option for the second season. Reddish is coming off a season where he averaged 10/2/1 with a steal on 45/31/85 shooting splits.

BREAKING: CAM REDDISH IS A LOS ANGELES LAKER.

2 YEAR DEAL 👀 pic.twitter.com/0d8r3KnXEq

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) July 1, 2023

He is a young forward that has shown flashes of his three-and-d potential. The Lakers have done a great job helping young players like Malik Monk and Lonnie Walker IV take a step to the next level over the last two seasons. Signing Reddish allows them to do this again.

On a minimum deal, this is excellent, as Reddish has the chance to become an improved player, especially working with LA’s elite skills coach Phil Handy.

He is a 6-foot-7 forward at 23 years old that plays solid defense and has been an up-and-down shooter. Reddish could be a crucial part of the rotation if he becomes a consistent shooter.

The Lakers' rotation is filled with depth around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They are one of the deepest teams in basketball. The LakeShow now has one of the best forward rotations in basketball with James, Hachimura, Prince, Reddish, and Jarred Vanderbilt.

The Lakers now have a ton of forward depth in their rotation

LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Taurean Prince, and Cam Reddish is a top tier forward rotation

Rob Pelinka has done a great job in free agency

LA has the cap room to re-sign Reaves/DLO + 2 vet mins

— Ben Cooper (@BenCooperNBA) July 1, 2023

They have great wing size now, which will help them have an elite defense.

If they re-sign Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell, LA would be in a fantastic spot heading into next season. After that, they just need to add some depth at the center position.

Rob Pelinka stated the Lakers would [target] tough, defensive-minded, selfless players in free agency. He echoed that the plan continues to be running it back with marginal upgrades.

He has done that so far with the signings of Prince, Vincent, and Reddish and re-signing Hachimura.

Pelinka did a tremendous job on day one of free agency. The Lakers will now focus on adding a backup center and re-signing Reaves and Russell.