Once again, the Pacers went to UCLA to select their number one pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. With the 23rd pick they selected point guard Aaron Holiday. The 21-year-old Holiday is from Chatsworth, California. He stands 6’ 1” and weighs 185 pounds. Despite his small size he has long arms and good wingspan. He moves quickly and will give the team depth at the guard position. He is considered a pure scorer — perhaps the best in the draft
In the second round the Pacers selected Missouri State power forward Alize Johnson with the 50th pick. Johnson is 6’ 9” and weighs 201 pounds and considered a hard worker. The Pacers were a bit surprised that Johnson was still available with their second pick, but didn’t hesitate to add him to their roster.
All in all it looks to be a solid draft for Indiana.
LeBron to LA
As many predicted, LeBron James is now officially a Los Angeles Laker. James signed a 4 year deal worth up to $154 million. James already owns a home there so he and his family will now live there year round. James is 33 years old and still as lots of championship basketball left in him. The Lakers automatically become favorites to win this year’s NBA title.
The Cleveland Cavaliers claim that they are happy to see James go because now General manager Koby Altman says “I have my team back.”
It looks, however, that Cleveland goes back to mediocrity and high draft picks.
James now has a surprising teammate in former Pacer guard Lance Stephenson. While playing for the Pacers, Stephenson considered it his duty to pester James like a mosquito whenever the teams met. Now they are on the same team.
Paul George resigned with the Oklahoma City Thunder after playing there in the final season of his old contact. His new deal is worth $137 million for 4 years. There was speculation that George might sign with the Lakers, but the Thunder came up with more money.
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