The Lakers are focused on the future. Their current roster was never built to win and with the numerous injuries, it’s made winning nearly impossible.
At the beginning of free agency the Lakers will be faced with the following dilemma: resign Jordan Hill or Ed Davis. Tarik Black‘s surprising play makes Hill or Davis expendable.
Hill has a team option at $9 million next season and has been the Lakers most consistent player until now. He’s a double-double machine and with an improved mid-range shot, he can score both inside and out. Hill has played out of position at center, yet competes at a high level nightly. He’s an energy guy whose rebounding is a premium, but his price tag may be steep for the Lakers moving forward.
Davis was the steal of free agency. He has a player option for a bit over $1 million next season and recently declared he will opt-out of his current deal in pursuit of a long-term contract. Davis’ strength is knowing his game. He’s shooting 58% from the field and takes an even higher percentage of his shots inside the paint. Davis is a bit more athletic and younger than Hill while relishing his opportunity as a Laker. Based on his play so far, he’ll probably command between $6-8 million per year on his next contract.
All that information needs to be factored with whom the Lakers land in free agency and also who’s still available when it comes time to make a decision. Last off-season the Lakers waited for LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony and the consequence was losing Jodie Meeks, Kent Bazemore, Jordan Farmar and Chris Kaman. None are household names, but all solid role players who found new homes in the league.
This off-season the Lakers have a head coach who knows what type of players fits his style. Hill or Davis would mesh nicely as energy guys moving forward, but it depends on whom the Lakers pursue. Hopefully Lakers Management has an idea of who they want to keep before opposing teams offer better deals and steal them away.
If you were the Lakers who would you rather keep: Jordan Hill or Ed Davis and why?
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