Game #1 – September 30, 2020 NBA Finals – Lakers Lead 1-0
(13-3)	116	-	98	(12-4)
The Arena – Bay Lake, FL

Team Leaders Lakers

Points – Davis 34, James 25, Caldwell-Pope 13

Rebounds – James 13, Davis 9, 2 Players Tied With 8

Assists – James 9, Davis 5, Rondo 4

Team Leaders Heat

Points – Butler 23, Nunn 18, Herro 14

Rebounds – Iguodala 5, Nunn 5, Olynyk 5

Assists – Iguodala 6, Butler 5, Olynyk 4

Lakers vs. Heat – Box Score 09.30.20

Turiaf agreed to the contract a little more than a week after the Lakers extended him a qualifying offer of around $1 million. Turiaf had his best season as pro averaging 6.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in nearly 19 minutes per game last year.

Should Turiaf depart, the Lakers will undoubtedly be looking for another big body up front to replace the team’s most-emotional player. Journeyman forward Kurt Thomas’ name has come up as someone who could replace Turiaf, with not nearly the same price tag.

Turiaf’s deal also clouds Sasha Vujacic‘s return to the Lakers, as he will probably command even more money than the French-born forward. He may get mid-level exception offers, which is around $5.8 million, from other teams. It is unknown if the Lakers would use their exception to keep him.

While Lakers’ GM Mitch Kupchak has repeatedly said he very much wants to keep both Vujacic and Turiaf in purple and gold, the Lakers are already over the salary cap, and owner Dr. Jerry Buss does not like paying the league luxury tax for exceeding it. So it remains to seen what happens with both players, and if the Lakers will match Turiaf’s deal with the Warriors.

Stay tuned.