Forward Carmelo Anthony. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

NBA world reacts to Lakers’ free agent frenzy

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Vincent Frank | Last updated 8/3/21

It’s no surprise that the Los Angeles Lakers have been going hog wild during the early stages of NBA free agency.

LeBron James and Co. are coming off a disappointing 2020-21 season that culminated in a first-round exit in the NBA Playoffs. That came after the Lakers earned the NBA title in the Orlando bubble last year.

With King James entering the twilight of his career and the lure of ring chasing becoming the defining moment of the NBA free agency period, these Lakers have taken advantage.

In addition to acquiring Russell Westbrook in a blockbuster trade with the Washington Wizards late last month, the Lakers have added seven free agents to the mix in less than two days. We’re talking about a combined 27 All-Star appearances between the eight new Lakers players.

New Los Angeles Lakers players during early stages of NBA free agency

Russell Westbrook
Dwight Howard
Carmelo Anthony
Trevor Ariza
Malik Monk
Kendrick Nunn
Kent Bazemore
Wayne Ellington

On Tuesday alone, the Lakers were able to add Monk, Nunn and Anthony to the mix on well below-market deals. Of the seven free-agent signings over the past two days, four previously suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers. Oh, and the Lakers made news by also re-signing young guard Talen Horton-Tucker.

Some will point to the relatively advanced age of those big-name players Los Angeles has added. Even so, it’s insane to think about just how deep this team is behind James and Anthony Davis.

NBA world reacts to Los Angeles Lakers free-agent spree

Ages for next year's Lakers:

Melo: 37
Bron: 36
Gasol: 36
Ariza: 36
Dwight: 35
Ellington: 33
Bazemore: 32
Russ: 32
AD: 28
Nunn: 26
Monk: 23
THT: 20 pic.twitter.com/lEgkQcUeoM
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 3, 2021

Make that 13 players under contract with the vet minimum exception available.

A strong 3 signings with Monk, THT and Nunn

$42.3M projected tax bill which would be the largest in Lakers history. https://t.co/MmYgaXjmmx
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 3, 2021

LeBron watching the Lakers go crazy in free agency pic.twitter.com/91MiTYG1X2
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) August 3, 2021

It’s gonna be standing room only on that lakers sideline a lot of ppl not playing pic.twitter.com/yDD11yncva
— Travonne Edwards (Blk Tray) (@Travonne) August 3, 2021

Lakers finishing off the roster with Kendrick Nunn pic.twitter.com/vZIEfeNLru
— Yahoo Sportsbook (@YahooSportsbook) August 3, 2021

i think it would be easier if woj just told us who the lakers weren’t signing
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) August 3, 2021

The lakers front office right now #lakeshow pic.twitter.com/MUljX8JPzU
— rich (@Rich_Crawford6) August 3, 2021

“How do the Lakers keep signing players to minimum deals???”

Rob Pelinka: pic.twitter.com/AVXxiwpRkY
— Ricky’s Propaganda Network (@MrRickySpanish) August 3, 2021

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: