Lakers took the first step towards restocking their depleted roster list in the wake of the blockbuster Russell Westbrook bargain, consenting to contracts with veterans Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza and Wayne Ellington in the opening times of free organization on Monday.
Each of the three have played for the Lakers previously, with Howard (2020) and Ariza (2009) assisting them with boosting their title take and Ellington serving for a single season in 2014-15.
This will really be Howard’s third spell in purple and gold, following his runs in 2012-13 and 2019-20. He filled in as a key reserve for the Lakers during their latest title on the side of geniuses LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
With the Lakers agreeing to send Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Montrezll Harrell to Washington in return for Westbrook, James and Davis had been the solitary remainders from that title group until Howard’s choice to return following a lone season in Philadelphia.
Ariza, 36, averaged 9.4 points and 4.8 rebounds points in 30 appearances with Miami last season, his tenth group in 17 NBA crusades.
Ellington, 33, appreciated one of the better long periods of his journeyman career last season in Detroit, shooting 42.2% on 3-pointers while averaging 9.6 points per game.
Alongside James, Davis, Marc Gasol and the approaching Westbrook, Monday’s increments will give the Lakers seven players under agreement for next season. They additionally have a team option on deep reserve Alfonzo McKinnie.