According to sources, Lakers’ guard Kendrick Nunn will possible decide up his participant possibility for the 2022-23 NBA season. Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report acknowledged, “Nunn is expected to pick up his $5.25 million player option for next season, sources said.”
On Aug. 6, 2021, the Illinois native signed a two-year, $10.3 million contract with the Lakers. The guard made $5 million this season, and he’s set to earn $5.250 million subsequent season. Nunn went undrafted again in 2018.
Kendrick Nunn might help the Lakers
While Nunn made All-Rookie First Team within the 2019-20 season, he has performed a smaller position on the court docket since then. Not to say, accidents derailed his Lakers’ season.
In his rookie season with the Heat, the guard averaged 15.3 factors, 2.7 rebounds and three.3 assists per sport in 67 video games performed. Then, Nunn averaged 14.6 factors, 3.2 rebounds and a couple of.6 assists per sport within the 2020-21 season.
Kendrick Nunn is predicted to choose up his $5.25M possibility with the Lakers subsequent season.
(by way of @JakeLFischer) pic.twitter.com/jrHegNSP6Z
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 6, 2022
Although he performed in the course of the preseason, on Oct. 21, 2021, the medical employees knowledgeable the Lakers that Nunn had sustained a bone bruise in his proper knee. The timetable for his return was a number of weeks, however he might by no means totally recuperate. Earlier this yr, the guard handled points throughout his rehabilitation. So, he was dominated out all through February and March.
Furthermore, Anthony Davis attracted media consideration over per week in the past when he stated, “What we could have been been if I was healthy all year, LeBron, Kendrick Nunn?” Next season could possibly be the very best indicator. In a complete of 123 profession video games, the third-year participant has averaged 15 factors, 2.9 rebounds and three.0 assists per sport. Plus, his taking pictures common from the sector is 45.8%.
Anthony Davis: “What could we have been if I was healthy all year, LeBron, Kendrick Nunn? You think about those things. When we put this team together, we looked really good on paper, but we haven’t had a chance to reach that potential with guys being in and out of the lineup.” pic.twitter.com/4yuS4I7AJW
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) April 3, 2022
Once LeBron James and normal supervisor Rob Pelinka witnessed Nunn’s efficiency with the Heat in Game 1 of the 2020 NBA Finals, they needed to have him. The guard put up 18 factors in 20 minutes performed. Until that day, a rookie had not generated even 18 factors in a Finals sport since Elden Campbell’s 21 factors within the 1991 NBA Finals
Kendrick Nunn and the Lakers’ wage cap
Could the guard earn a bigger contract elsewhere? Last offseason, the Knicks have been one of many groups within the hunt for Nunn, they usually supplied greater than the Lakers. The guard’s $5.250 million cap determine for subsequent season represents roughly 3% in opposition to the full wage cap.
Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and LeBron James mixed devour 74% of the group’s wage cap for subsequent season. As of now, the group’s sensible cap house for the 2022-23 season is $20,707,184.
Current head coach Frank Vogel will most likely not return, so Nunn’s future with the group might change with a brand new coach. A possible commerce sooner or later could be as much as LeBron as properly. However, Nunn is price maintaining. Based on Davis’ feedback, he wants to remain in Los Angeles.
