After a fanfare start and numerous rumours, the transfer market is calm, not to say at a standstill. However, two former Lakers players came to make a few ripples overnight, via their signing in the West.
It was announced and it’s confirmed: the Lakers have changed their roster significantly after the rout of last season. Beyond a restricted framework which notably includes LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves, everyone (or almost) has been made available. The problem ? Many ex-Angelinos veterans lack suitors, like Dwight Howard or Carmelo Anthony.
Two Lakers find shoes that fit!
In this lean period, Kent Bazemore has found the shoe that suits him! Author of a very disappointing campaign with the Lakers, for whom he had snubbed the Warriors, the former Hawks signed a one-year contract with another Californian team:
Free agent forward Kent Bazemore has agreed to a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 7, 2022
Free-agent winger Kent Bazemore has signed a one-year contract with the Sacramento Kings, sources tell The Athletic.
Good news for Bazemore, which several observers saw not finding a guaranteed contract during the summer. It is now done with this one-year deal. Same duration but different team for Paris Bass, who also signed in the West less than 20 minutes after the announcement of the Bazemore contract:
Free agent forward Paris Bass has reached an agreement on a one-year deal with the Utah Jazz, his agent Daniel Hazan of @hazansportsmgmt tells @YahooSports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 7, 2022
Free agent winger Paris Bass has agreed to a one-year contract with the Utah Jazz, his agent Daniel Hazan told Yahoo Sports.
For Bass, who shone again in the Summer League a few weeks ago, this contract is an opportunity to finally earn some playing time in the league. For now, the Michigan native’s only experience in the big league comes down to two 10-day contracts with the Suns last season, for… no games played. The Jazz is therefore trying a low-cost bet, which can only bring a good surprise if Bass manages to repeat his good performances in the G-League and Summer League.
In a currently calm and sleepy market, the news of the night comes from two former Lakers, who are moving away from the city of angels with two very distinct objectives: shooting and experience for Bazemore, and a first (real) opportunity for Bass. Good luck to them !
