It’s hard to believe but the Lakers have gotten even better over the summer. That’s because they signed SG/SF Ron Artest away from the Rockets. They lost Trevor Ariza to the Rockets in free agency and both players are being paid the same amount as this essentially looks like a trade that the Lakers won. The Lakers re-signed Kobe Bryant, Shannon Brown and Lamar Odom which will allow them to hit the court running when the NBA season begins. The Lakers released Sun Yue but he wasn’t going to get any minutes anyway. Chinemelu Elonu was picked up in the NBA Draft but he will be nothing more than a bench warmer this season.

OFF-SEASON GRADE FOR THE FRONT OFFICE SO FAR: A