Players That the Lakers Should Re-Sign for Next Year

Dec 30, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. The Lakers won 111-103. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Between the draft and free agency coming up, many Laker fans are forgetting that the Lakers will likely need to re-sign some players to fill out their roster for next year.  When thinking of last year’s team, you might not think very highly of any of the players that made up the worst season in Lakers history, but there are a few guys that could make an impact on a aspiring playoff contending team over the next two years or so.

-== Best Lakers Draft Pick & Free Agent Pairings ==-

First, the team options.  Probably the two best players on last year’s team (not named Kobe Bryant), Jordan Clarkson and Jordan Hill are each on team options for the 2015-2016 season, meaning that it is up to the front office to decide if they will return for next year.  Let’s get out of the way that despite all of the wrong decisions that the front office has made over the last three years regarding player contracts, I’d say it’s safe to guarantee that Clarkson will be returning next year as a Laker.

Hill on the other hand is a bit more of a question mark.  As a fan of Hill, I believe that he is truly a skilled big-man, who could offer a lot to a championship contender.  Because he has been asked to do more than he is comfortable with over the last two years, many have forgotten the off-the-bench energy machine that Hill once was.  But then again, no energy player is worth nine million dollars per year.  That’s what the Lakers would be paying Hill if they decide to pick up his contract for next season.  No matter how much Hill has grown over the years, those nine million dollars could be much better spent elsewhere.  The best decision for the future would be for the Lakers to part ways with Hill this summer, giving the the Lakers enough money to potentially land two free agents this summer.

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