My honest answer for that one is because he only wanted to play in the Lakers at that time that is why he opted to play overseas so that he will not get to a team where he can make those moneys yet he cannot be a champion. It may sound that it does not make any sense but that is somehow reasonable if at his age, he only wanted to play in a team where chances to win a championship are above decent and with a LeBron James in the very sane roster, that makes the goal more possible.

If I'm not mistaken, he could've played last season if the Warriors management did continue their plan on getting Dwight Howard from the free agency as they badly needed a big man that is well experienced already and at that time, I can tell that Howard is glad for that news and was ready to fly back but for some reasons, that same reports vanished a coupe of days before the trade deadline came.

As far as I can remember that core roster was too good during their reign on the 2020 championship but has always me wondering why they easily dissolved most of the players around him. Well, I think Austin Reaves was really the dark horse now on the team good thing he got the advices from Lebron, that kid has confidence and with him, LBJ and Davis I guess that's a fine squad. They extension with Russel and Hachimura and the addition of Vincent, they are likely in a fine tune.

They already show how fine they are for their last season performance and I guess when can see more better from them since they are really now comfortable with recent success they got. The only problem now is how their new addition could blend with their old roster since if they show that they can work with those big guys like lebron and David then can play with their roles we can say that Lakers is a monster team to bet this season.

Ausin Reaves is still a dark horse and not was, especially now that he a gained a lot more experience and confidence during the last run that will definitely give the team a nice color when they play again. That goes to Rui Hachimura and D'Angelo Russell as well.

Regarding to your question mate, when the Lakers won the 2020 championship, the team's value has increased and so does the players of the said team, now the unfortunate thing about that was at that time, they have a lot of players who are already nearing the end of their contracts and the Lakers doesn't have that much option to sign them all with an extension, hence why it dissolved right away after winning a chip.

They need to work that out because Hayes is not that well experienced when it comes to defending the paint and its rim, yes he got the size and height but that will not be enough if he cannot secure their defense properly and AD will be forced to work that out again leaving Lebron instead of having the freedom to chase anyone and contribute to the team's offense being a PF.

I think they have retain some of them after their championship run, but it was a different Lakers, for example Kuzma or even THT, they have been touted as the next Lakers but I guess the attention that they are getting from the media are too much for them. And then they have to get some replacement and 3 point shooters, but they also feel short of expectations from Lebron.

Now it's a different ball club, as what we have said, it's only Lebron and Anthony Davis that is left from the championship squad. Nevertheless, the team right now looks solid and they have gotten over the drama on Westbrook.

For sure the Lakers would be a better team next season, they have shown it in the recent season, that they can surely have a better form with the young guns that they acquired now to help in making Lebron James a bigger player again, for sure most of the Lakers would like to do it, and can do it and with the referee on the Lakers side they can take on any teams in the NBA, Just kidding but for sure if they likely enhanced their chemistry because we all know that most players are new and this is their 1st season to get their full season, lets just wait it is really exciting if what we can see next season,


It was just sad that the New York Knicks just let go of Obi Toppin like that for sure Julius Randle will need to regain his natural position again, and not just setting fire on the 3 pointer, which is for me he is just not cut to be like that but maybe if he can train more he could be like Stephen Curry, how I wish,


For sure there are many roockie that gained experience and confidence and now that they experience playing at the play-offs that will be a very good experience for them for sure so next season will be a different one for them actually I am really excited in the next season if what kind of diamond we can likely see in the next season, there are many rookies in this season that like can be a different monster this upcoming season,

Wow this is a good point. I never thought about it this way. I remember the 2020 finals vividly, especially because of the lockdowns, and you have a good point. But he is a rather interesting player. Born in 1985, drafted in 2004, it is going to be 20 years since he is drafted next summer. But I know he takes care of his body good. Doing serious yoga and eating healthy etc. He is still good physically and can contribute a lot in my opinion(although I don't exactly know how he is doing these days after Taiwan, but he must be ok). As you have pointed out, he can contribute to defense and overall hardness of the team. He can get another chance. He shouldn't have gone to Taiwan imo.

They don't have that much option as well because sooner or later, the Lakers will have to find somebody that is much younger, who also got the right height to man their defense in the center because AD is not getting any younger and healthier. His situation will always be the same and that his vulnerability will give the team another weakness if ever he will catch another injury again, which is very likely. Hayes is a good candidate for that and I can see why the Lakers chose him.