The NBA doesn't have an official policy on who gets a Championship ring when a team wins the NBA Finals. Each franchise is allowed to determine its own rules of eligibility. While players may not be officially credited as an NBA champion by the league, getting a ring is the decision of the team.
This is important as it defines whether players cut or traded during the season are eligible to receive a ring if that team wins it all. The Lakers are currently having a great playoffs. They have already taken down the two-seed Grizzlies and sit one game away from eliminating the Warriors. But the Lakers also swung some pretty big trades this season. That leaves the question as to whether those players get rings.
All Lakers, Past And Present, Will Get Rings
The Lakers traded eight players during the regular season. The most notable departures were Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverly. Westbrook was dealt to the Jazz in the three-team trade that brought Jarred Vanderbilt to the Lakers. The same day, Beverly was sent to Orlando in a four-team trade that saw the Lakers acquire Mo Bamba. In total, the Lakers had nine players who are no longer on the roster. While eight were traded, a ninth player spent time on the Lakers' roster before being sent to the team's G-League affiliate.
However, the Lakers have confirmed that all players who played for the Lakers during the season would be eligible for a ring if the Lakers win the Finals. That would mean the Lakers would be giving out 26 player rings in the event that they win the Finals. Championship rings are valued at around $20,000 to $30,000. That means that to fulfill this promise, the Lakers will have to spend a minimum of $520,000 to ensure that everyone gets a ring. The end estimate sees that number balloon to $780,000. Do you think every player should get a ring? Let us know in the comments below. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.
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