Not too long after superstar forward LeBron James decided to move on from the Cleveland Cavaliers and sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Lakers have made a number of interesting signings that seemingly will prove to be questionable fits with James.
However, according to Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, these early free agent signings are part of Magic Johnson’s plan that was pitched to the 33-year-old prior to his decision to make the move to Los Angeles.
This plan is definitely a change of pace for the 14-time All-Star, as James was surrounded by one-dimensional shoot-first players in Cleveland, as their main purpose was to strike from distance once defenders swarmed on James’ drives to the paint.
Johnson’s signings, which included former All-Star Rajon Rondo, atheltic center JaVale McGee, and versatile wing Lance Stephenson all have one thing in common – they aren’t reliable three-point shooters. However, Johnson’s pitch was to bring in more ‘tough-minded playmakers’, which could result in a massive change of playstyle when it comes to LeBron-led teams:
Since James’ supporting cast with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season was primarily made up of shooters with limited defensive abilities, Johnson pitched the idea that players such as Stephenson and Rondo, who are “tough-minded playmakers” and strong defensively, would be good fits alongside LeBron.
These new signings by the Lakers obviously won’t be the only help for James this season, as up-and-coming young players Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Brandon Ingram, among others, will also be looking to bring the purple and gold back to the postseason.
