May 3, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Indiana Pacers small forward Paul George (24) and Atlanta Hawks small forward Kyle Korver (26) scramble for the ball in the second half of game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Pacers won 81-73. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Things we don’t know: If Dwight Howard will return, if Pau Gasol will be traded, if Metta World Peace will be amnestied.
Things we do know: The Lakers desperately need depth, and aren’t afraid to break out a checkbook.
With that, we want to take a glance at a few of the names hitting the market this offseason.
Be sure to click here if you missed part one.
▷ Kyle Korver – Unrestricted free agent, Atlanta Hawks
Although the 9-year-veteran has recently stated he’s ‘very open’ about a return to the Hawks, he’s an understated defender with a knack for knocking down huge shots and will have more than enough teams bidding for his services this offseason.
Korver finished with the second-highest three point percentage in the league (.457) and had the seventh-highest true shooting percentage – snug between the likes of Lebron James and James Harden.
At 32-years-old he’s still got plenty left in the tank, and proved in Atlanta that he’s actually a very capable starter.
2013 salary: 5,000,000
▷ Jose Calderon – Unrestricted free agent, Detroit Pistons
For the casual NBA fan, Calderon may be the best point guard they’ve never heard of. With career averages of 10.1 points and 7.2 assists, he has one of the purest strokes in the league and uncanny efficiency.
The 7-year-veteran finished the season with the highest three point percentage in the league, second in assists per turnover (4.1) and seventh in assists per 36 minutes.
Calderon was was sent to Detroit as a part of the three-way deal that brought Rudy Gay and Hamed Haddadi to Toronto and Tayshaun Prince, Austin Daye, and Ed Davis to Memphis. He has been a starter for the majority of his career, but has shown the capacity to be effective off the bench.
2013 salary: 11,046,591
▷ Nate Robinson – Unrestricted free agent, Chicago Bulls
As we continue to witness the incredible performances of this 5’9 point juggernaut this postseason, it would be impossible not to at least mention Robinson as someone the Lakers – and everyone else in the league – should be drooling over when he hits the market this offseason.
Someone will likely overpay the 28-year-old, making him well out of the Lakers reach, but yay for optimism.
2013 salary: 854,389
→ This is the second (part one here) of many articles we will be putting out on potential free agents for the Lakers this offseason. We want to know what YOU think, who you feel LA should pursue. Sound off in the comment section below and let us know.
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