A lot is going on at the Los Angeles Lakers during the current offseason. And the latest developments from their camp indicate that the Lakers have hired Jason Kidd intending to use him to get Giannis Antetokounmpo in, as a replacement for the aging Lebron James.
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LeBron James’ replacement comes in the form of Jason Kidd?
The Lakers are almost always the team to watch when an NBA season begins. And it is not surprising for them to go through a lot of drama in the offseason, as many basketball fans know. Drama is particularly guaranteed after seeing how their season ended, despite Lebron’s and the team’s best efforts.
But there won’t be a more dramatic hire at the Lakers this season than NBA veteran Jason Kidd. Kidd joins the Lakers’ coaching staff. And if the insight from people on the internet is correct, this hire was done only to use Kidd to persuade his former teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo to join the Lakers. The plans are to sign the Greek as soon as he reaches free agency.
The rumors further suggest that Giannis Antetokounmpo is the Lakers’ contingency plan. If Lebron James decides to move out after the 2021-22 season, the Lakers want someone like Antetokounmpo ready to take the mantle. Lebron opting out is an actual possibility, after all, the Lakers star has a player option that year for $41 million. Having said all that, Kidd still has time to get the required work done. There are still 2 years to go until the 2021-22 season begins.
The reason why these rumors are doing rounds was the relationship between Kidd and Antetokounmpo when they were together at the Milwaukee Bucks. The two shared a great coach-player relationship, with Kidd playing a significant role in Antetokounmpo’s development as a player.
There is still no confirmation on this news, or indeed on the idea that Lakers are looking for a plan B. But luring in a player of Giannis’s quality is something the Lakers would desperately want.
