As 2019 NBA free agency has slowed down, the Los Angeles Lakers ultimately did their part to surround LeBron James and Anthony Davis with strong role players.
While the Lakers reportedly feel they ‘got played’ by Kawhi Leonard’s week-long decision to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, they still did well under the circumstances.
Since the Lakers have 14 players and may keep that last roster spot open, they have been focusing on head coach Frank Vogel’s staff recently by adding assistant coach Quinton Crawford and shooting coach Mike Penberthy.
And in their latest move, the Lakers have signed Giannis Antetokounmmpo’s brother Kostas Antetokounmpo to a two-way deal, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic:
The Los Angeles Lakers have claimed Kostas Antetokounmpo off free agency waivers, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 21, 2019
Kostas Antetokounmpo — the younger brother of NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo — heads to the Lakers on a two-way deal. https://t.co/zpdgRZaedj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 21, 2019
With this latest move by the Lakers, all of the attention will naturally be on Antetokounmpo’s older brother who will become a free agent following the 2020-21 season:
“As you look at our roster construction, to have most of the free agents we signed with a two-year window so that the only salaries on our books going forward in that third year are LeBron and Anthony Davis. It gives the ability to not only contend in the short term with the players we wanted but also add a superstar or max player in July of 2021 if that’s something we want to look to do.”
Originally the No. 60 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, Antetokounmpo spent the 2018-19 NBA season with the Texas Legends. In 40 games (25 starts), he averaged 10.6 points and 6.1 rebounds in 25.4 minutes.
Following a challenging Las Vegas Summer League where Antetokounmpo averaged 5.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13.5 minutes, he was waived. However, the 21-year-old just needed two days before the Lakers quickly claimed him.
During the team’s rebuilding process, they have heavily relied on the NBA Draft and the G League. With Antetokounmpo on a two-way deal, it will be interesting to see if the Lakers will call him up at some point.