Lakers Winners and Losers from 2022 NBA Free Agency
The Los Angeles Lakers had a busy summer.
Sure, it could've been a busier had a Russell Westbrook trade come together, but the Lakers still managed to overhaul their supporting cast during 2022 NBA free agency.
With so many moving pieces, it isn't always easy to see the clear winners and losers once the dust settles, but we're sifting through the additions and subtractions to find them.
Winner: Lonnie Walker IV
When Lonnie Walker IV, the No. 18 pick in 2018, first thought about his free agency, he probably pictured it yielding a more lucrative contract than it actually did (one year, $6.5 million).
That's actually fine for now, because the 23-year-old has a chance to score that Powerball-sized payday after moving west.
The Lakers are largely starved for scoring around Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, so the opportunity is there for someone to step into a prominent supporting role. Walker has the game to do it with an ignitable three-ball, slippery handles and enough bounce to go viral with his aerial exploits.
Consistency was a puzzle he never solved over his four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, but the prize for doing it with the Purple and Gold could be massive.
This isn't a dissimilar situation to the one Malik Monk encountered last season, and his breakout netted him a two-year, $19 million pact with the Sacramento Kings. Walker could find similar gold at the end of his rainbow.
Losers: All of the Unsigned Veterans
The Lakers loaded up on experience and veteran savvy last summer. This time around, they pivoted toward youth and athleticism.
So far, almost all of those veterans have been left behind. And not just by the Lakers, but by the entire Association.
Carmelo Anthony doesn't have a deal yet. Neither does Dwight Howard. Avery Bradley, Kent Bazemore and Trevor Ariza are among the former Lakers all in the same boat.
Now, it's important to remember free agency isn't completely finished, and one or more of these players can and probably will find a new deal at some point. For now, though, the disappointment from last season has carried over into free agency.
Winner: Thomas Bryant
Thomas Bryant probably had hopes of finding more than minimum money this summer, so he isn't an obvious free-agency winner. Having said that, his skills could really shine in Hollywood, and he seems excited to be back with his first NBA employer.
The 25-year-old will reportedly have a chance to win the starting center job, per Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, and could enjoy a seamless fit with L.A.'s stars.
Bryant is a good enough shooter (career 35 percent from three) to keep the offensive end properly spaced, and he has enough bounce to finish around the basket. In other words, he can roll or pop out of picks for James or Westbrook, and he can find off-ball value in catch-and-shoot chances and timely cuts.
The Indiana alum appears positioned for success, and if he answers that call under the L.A. spotlight, his next free-agency venture could be far more lucrative.