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NBA: 5 biggest winners from the 2019 offseason

By Liaudwin Seaberry

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: Patrick Beverley #21 and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers celebrate after they beat the Golden State Warriors during Game Two of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 15, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: Patrick Beverley #21 and Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers celebrate after they beat the Golden State Warriors during Game Two of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 15, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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NBA Los Angeles Lakers Anthony Davis (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

As the 2019-20 NBA season slowly approaches, we look back at the five biggest winners from a chaotic – and historic – offseason period

The NBA offseason provides teams with the chance to improve their respective rosters. Some teams take advantage of free agency and the draft, which shows that their front offices recognize talent and star potential when they see it.

During the 2019 offseason, a record amount of players changed teams, and the draft allowed teams that had rocky regular seasons improve their rosters. Several star players helped shift the balance of the NBA by leaving their former teams and joining new squads (Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, etc.).

While some teams did all they could to compete in the arms race for talent, others simply stood pat and watched as other clubs restock on talent. Here are five teams that underwent the biggest facelift from the 2019 NBA offseason.

Los Angeles Lakers

After stumbling to a 37-45 record, the Los Angeles Lakers knew that drastic change must occur to catapult them back into the elite ranks of the Western Conference.

The Lakers pulled off a trade that did exactly just that.

Anthony Davis, the former franchise cornerstone of the New Orleans Pelicans, demanded a trade from the Pels midseason, due to his perception that management failed to put a solid product around him.

On June 17, the Pelicans offloaded Davis to the Lakers in exchange for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and a number of first round picks. Normally, teams that give up so much young talent and draft compensation fail to come out on the winning side, but this move plays out in the Lakers’ favor for several reasons.

Davis had long expressed a desire to play with LeBron James in Los Angeles, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. The six-time all-star center respects the three-time NBA champion James and truly covets being in a winning environment and culture, unlike the one New Orleans provided.

In addition to Davis, the Lakers added former Raptors guard Danny Green on a two-year, $30 million contract. Green will slide right in as the starting 2-guard in L.A. In addition to Green, the Lakers re-signed point guard Rajon Rondo to a two-year deal and added Davis’ former frontcourt mate and all-star in DeMarcus Cousins on a one-year deal.

The Lakers are considered by many to be an NBA Finals or bust squad this season. However, this year’s team has the talent and the motivation to meet and exceed high expectations.

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