NBA Notes: Lakers, Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton, Hawks

Lakers

The Lakers’ offseason actually began at the trade deadline in February, when they started to reshape the roster and added depth, wrote Shaun Powell of NBA.com.

During the summer, they’ve added the likes of big men Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes, guard Gabe Vincent and forward Taurean Prince, as well as re-upped with guards Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell, as well as forward Rui Hachimura.

“The capstone of the offseason, though, was re-upping (Anthony Davis) for another three years at $186 million,” Powell wrote. “Getting him on that deal locks him in through 2028.

Basically, the Lakers are aiming to continue their run to the Western Conference Finals and put together a full, consistently good season.

• In case you missed it, Davis was hoping the Lakers would bring in some help to relieve him at the center spot, so he is likely happy with the signings of Wood and Hayes. We have that full post here.

Pacers

Former Pacers forward James Johnson had tons of praise for point guard Tyrese Haliburton, placing him alongside some of the best players in the NBA.

“He’s probably the biggest student of the game that I’ve ever been around,” Johnson told Ryan Hollins on the Rookie Life podcast, via Tony East of SI.com. “Somebody who [does] nothing but [watch] film.”

Johnson, 36, spent last season in Indiana. He’s now a free agent. But he got a good look at Haliburton first, putting him right up there with the likes of Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, and Pelicans forward Zion Williamson.

“His way of not running away from confrontation is what makes him such a great leader,” Johnson said of Haliburton.

Hawks

• With the likes of Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter, Garrison Mathews, Wesley Matthews and AJ Griffin, the Hawks have plenty of depth at the wing, wrote Hassan Ladiwala of Hawks Fan TV in his in-depth look at the roster. (Full story)