The 2019 NBA free agency is one to remember with big names such as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George. Those are just some of the names that went to different teams. But the top three teams that made the best moves were the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, and the Milwaukee Bucks. All these teams got great players and are looking to get an NBA Championship.
The first team that looks like that are going to do well during the 2019-2020 season is the Los Angeles Clippers, who acquired Kawhi Leonard for a 3-year deal for $103 million. The Clippers also got Paul George but since Paul George forced a trade from the Thunder this caused the Clippers to trade four unprotected first round picks (2021, 2022, 2024, and 2026), one protected first round pick, and the right to swap to draft picks in 2023 and 2025. They also gave OKC Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari. This was all worth it for the Clippers since PG13 had great stats last season, averaging 28 points per game (ppg) and 8 rebounds per game (rpg) and 4 assists per game (apg). With these new players the Clippers are now, according to CBS Sports, first in the power rankings and hopefully Leonard and George can bring the Clippers to their first championship in franchise history.
The next team that looks like they are going to do well is the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers acquired many big names this free agency such as Anthony Davis who got traded to the Lakers for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart and three first round picks. This will help the Lakers since Davis had an amazing season in 2019, averaging 25.9 ppg, 12 rpg, and 3.9 apg. “My goal is to win a championship,” Davis told the LA Times. The Lakers also got Demarcus Cousins for a 1-year deal for $3.5 million. Demarcus Cousins averaged 16 ppg, 8.2 rpg and 3.5 apg in the span of 30 games with the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers also signed some smaller names such as Danny Green, Rajon Rondo, and Kostas Antetokounmpo. They have all of these names including LeBron James who signed with the Lakers last year and he has championship experience. According to CBS Sports they are third in the power rankings. These means they are championship contenders.
The last team that is in the top-3 in the NBA is the Milwaukee Bucks who have their star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, along with Khris Middleton who re-signed for a 5-year max contract worth $177.5 million. The Bucks also resigned Brook Lopez for a 4-year deal for $52 million and signed his brother Robin Lopez for a 2-year deal for $9 million. Then they signed some one-year deals with players like Pau Gasol and Kyle Korver. So, after getting all of these players, old and new, this team should change tremendously. With these players this gives the Bucks first place in the power rankings according to ESPN and, after having the best record in the Eastern Conference, with this new lineup they are looking for their first championship since 1971.
As you can see this free agency was one to remember with some teams who weren’t the best last season and now they are championship contenders. These teams include the Bucks, Lakers, and Clippers. These teams have signed star players like the Clippers who signed Leonard and George or the Lakers who signed Davis and Demarcus Cousins. So, in conclusion, this is an NBA season that everyone is looking forward to watching to see who will win the title.
