Free Agency, Day 1: The Lakers Make Four Good Signings, but Lose Alex Caruso for Nothing

We're putting the band back together! The Lakers got a little weird on Monday, as free agency started across the NBA, signing four players, all of whom have previously played for the Lakers. One of them (Dwight Howard), twice! So did Rob Pelinka have a good day? Sort of? Wayne Ellington, Kent Bazemore, Trevor Ariza and Howard make for a perfectly good use of veteran's minimum deals. Each offers something the Lakers could use and ought to exceed the value of the deals they signed. But the day had a cost, too. The Chicago Bulls signed Alex Caruso to a four year deal worth about 37 million. A big number for regular folks, but a completely reasonable (and easily anticipated) salary range for A.C., and according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Lakers didn't even put forth an effort keep him. Why? Luxury taxes, most likely. The Lakers are a tax paying team, and would like to keep that payroll down as much as possible, apparently. But the logic of swinging for the fences on Westbrook while simultaneously trying to save money on the supporting cast seems like a really dumb one. Nor is it the best look. Finally, answering some of your post-Day 1 mailbag questions. No Andy Kamenetzky, but Brian Kamenetzky takes a few. HOST: Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers signed four free agents, and all four make some sense, though will raise the average age of the team up a few notches. SEGMENT 2: Why losing Caruso is painful for the Lakers. SEGMENT 3: A little more AC, plus the mailbag! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. Rock Auto Amazing selection. Reliably low prices. All the parts your car will ever need. Visit RockAuto.com and tell them Locked On sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices