Los Angeles Lakers players Lonzo Ball, Lebron James, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram. Photo from the Laker’s offical Instagram

By Amsu Warner

Just like the beginning of every NBA season teams, players, coaches and even fans mark their calendars for the most notable and anticipated games on the NBA schedule. NBA fans also have their eyes locked on the franchise player moves during the off-season.
The most publicized move had to be LeBron James leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers after the team’s loss to the Golden State Warriors in the 2018 NBA Finals to join the Los Angeles Lakers. Fans across the globe were either hurt or eager to see James make this shocking move from the eastern to the western conference.

James joined the Lakers on a four-year, $153.3 million contract in hopes of winning another NBA championship. Another surprise off-season move was the trade of small forward Kahwi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs to the Toronto Raptors for shooting guard DeMar Derozan.

This trade caught the association off guard after Leonard informed the Spurs organization that he wanted to join the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Lebron James. The trade also left Derozan unhappy with the Raptors organization and general manager Masai Ujiri.
Also, with the star-studded Golden State Warriors being recognized as the NBA reigning champs, their addition of arguably one of the best centers in the league, DeMarcus Cousins, makes them even scarier and a difficult opponent to defeat.
Despite Cousins being injured last season with the New Orleans Pelicans, he still managed to average 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over the course of 48 games. Cousins signed a one-year $5.3 million contract with Golden State.
Lastly, 16-year veteran Camelo Anthony has made himself relevant again in NBA free agency this past off season after only playing a single season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Anthony joined the Houston Rockets, along with Chris Paul and James Harden, in hopes to defeat the Golden State Warriors once and for all. Anthony signed a one-year $2.4 million contract after leaving the Atlanta Hawks.
With so much buzz and breaking news floating around the NBA, anticipation for the game’s upcoming season looms larger each day.