Mitch Kupchak’s Big Offseason Mistake

After the Lakers won their 15th championship over the Orlando Magic in five games, redeeming themselves after a terrible Finals performance to the rival Celtics, the focus turned to resigning free agents Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza and Shannon Brown.

Personally, I was confident that the Lakers would resign all three free agents. They all fit perfectly with the team, and there wouldn't be too many other options for them because of the bad economy. 

Then, in the beginning of July, I heard that the Lakers offered Ariza with a five year deal worth the entire mid level exception, a very fair and expected offer. However, Ariza's agent David Lee played hardball with Lakers' owner Jerry Buss by demanding for a five year deal worth $7-8 million annually, and it backfired.

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