The Lakers latest forays into the free agent market have been doomed from the start.
Armed with flawed priorities and the hubris required to think that elite players would consider joining a floundering franchise, the Lakers front office has struck out repeatedly in free agency over the last few years.
In the first article of this series, readers got a preview of which players currently on the roster the Lakers need to retain, as well as a more in-depth discussion of the Lakers recent failings in free agency. This portion will focus on the players who compose this year’s free agent class, and discuss whether their additions are realistic and whether they would be helpful.
Although this class of free agents has been hyped for some time, in actuality the group is slightly top heavy. Beyond truly elite players that compose the top three to five, the pickings become much more slim, particularly for a team like the Lakers.
For the purposes of this article, players with almost zero chance of joining the Lakers will be left off the list. This includes Lebron James, who will almost certainly return to Cleveland, and Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol, both of whom already chose to depart Los Angeles in free agency.
It’s also impossible to cover every single player who will be available, with so many players hitting free agency this off-season. So this analysis will cover players who are notable for various reasons, be it their fit with the team or their notoriety from prior accomplishments.
Next: Unrestricted Free Agents: KD and Horford
Nov 10, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (13) defends in the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Unrestricted Free Agents:
These are the players the Lakers typically focus on, as restricted free agency can be a dangerous game, with money tied up in players until their team decides if they want to match. These players will be available for any team to sign, and with the cap rising dramatically, competition will be fierce.
Kevin Durant:
Fit: Perfect
Likelihood: Very Low
Kevin Durant signing with their team is the dream of every NBA fan in the world. A prolific scorer with silky smooth jumpers, insane length, and impressive athleticism, Durant is a consensus top-five player in the league, with most people ranking him within the top three when fully healthy. As if that wasn’t enough, Durant also plays the small-forward, the Lakers most pressing position of need.
Adding Kevin Durant would instantly put the Lakers on the map. He fits very well with the Lakers young core and could provide them with the go-to scorer they desperately need. Durant would also take much of the pressure off the Lakers young players and allow them more freedom on the court. Although his age separates him from the Lakers core, the presence of a player of his caliber could accelerate the rebuild and give the Lakers a chance of winning during his contract.
Unfortunately, the likelihood of Durant joining the Lakers this off-season is very low. Although not impossible, it is unlikely Durant will want to join a team as far from contention as the Lakers. Even with Durant, the Lakers would likely need to wait for Russell and Randle to develop further before truly becoming contenders. At 27, Durant is already in his prime, and will likely opt to play with a team already within its title window.
More from Lake Show Life
- Darvin Ham adds to Max Christie hype train after Lakers preseason opener
- Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest Lakers vs Warriors update
- Can Darvin Ham put all of the Lakers puzzle pieces together?
- Lakers news: Darvin Ham knows his fifth starter, LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino praise
- Michael Malone’s painfully ironic comment has Lakers fans heated
Al Horford:
Fit: Okay
Likelihood: Low
Al Horford is a very talented offensive player who could step into the role of featured scorer for the Lakers immediately. However, as a 6′ 10″ center, Horford has never been an impact player on the defensive end, an area the Lakers desperately need help in.
Although Horford could play the four, the Lakers have that spot locked up with Julius Randle. Playing Horford at the five would remove the Lakers best defensive player this year in Roy Hibbert, and replace him with a much less effective defender.
Additionally, Horford will be thirty years old by the beginning of next season, making his fit with such a young team even more questionable. He also plays for a contending team that fits his strengths quite well, making it likely he’ll stay put in Atlanta. Although Al Horford is a very solid player, his talents and age just don’t fit perfectly with the current Lakers team.
Next: Much Needed Small Forward: DeRozan and Batum
November 17, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Demar DeRozan:
Fit: Fair
Likelihood: Fair
Demar DeRozan is an extremely athletic wing for the Toronto Raptors. Although he has a player option for next season, the inflation of the cap next year means he is almost guaranteed to decline it and become an unrestricted free agent. This will allow the Lakers to leverage their large cap room to make the swing-man a lucrative offer.
DeRozan’s size and athleticism makes him fully capable of playing either the shooting-guard or small-forward spots. Small-forward is a particularly shallow spot for the Lakers, so he will have an immediate role to fill in Los Angeles. His athleticism will compliment the Lakers young core well, helping them develop into a lethal team in transition. Another positive is the fact that at 26 years old, DeRozan is still capable of growing with the core the Lakers already have in place.
There are negatives in regards to signing Demar DeRozan however. Firstly, he is a high volume shooter, something the Lakers have an excess of. Further, he might stunt the growth of the Lakers young players in their immediate development.
More from Lakers Free Agency
- Lakers have excellent new option for final roster spot thanks to Spurs
- Lakers signing newly-available key role player just became more likely
- 3 biggest offseason successes for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023
- Lakers’ plan B for Christian Wood is obvious after latest free agency activity
- Spurs gift Lakers ideal D’Angelo Russell insurance plan for 15th roster spot
He also lacks a consistent jumper, shooting a truly awful 18% from deep this season, and only 28% throughout last season. At this point in his career it is unlikely he will ever become a true threat from long range.
The Lakers will have plenty to consider when deciding whether or not to use their cap space on DeRozan, who will demand a max salary this off-season.
Although his strengths could help the Lakers immensely, the flaws in his game may be enough for the Lakers to go in a different direction.
Considering his strong Los Angeles roots, DeRozan seems the most likely of the aforementioned bunch to join the Purple and Gold.
Nicolas Batum:
Fit: Good
Likelihood: Fair
Nicolas Batum is a far less glamorous option than the other players mentioned so far, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t fit well with this team. A solid all-around wing, Batum is a good defender and shooter with deceptive athleticism. He brings a lot of positives to the table, while also not demanding the ball nearly as much as the other players on this list.
Turning 27 in December, Batum’s age doesn’t fit perfectly with the Lakers young core, but his ability to contribute without dominating the ball makes that less of an issue. Batum could help the Lakers in the present, while still allowing their young players to develop. In fact, the only downside of signing Batum is that he may be too passive. He most likely won’t make them a playoff team, and he definitely won’t provide the Lakers with a number one option, but on a rebuilding team that may be for the best.
The Lakers should have a fair chance of signing the French small-forward, as they will be able to offer him a maximum salary and a key role on the team. Although he has only recently arrived in Charlotte, they have not gone out of their way to make him feel welcome.
When discussing their acquisitions, Michael Jordan ignored Batum when asked which player was most important, instead citing the signing of mediocre ex-Laker Jeremy Lin as their most important addition. Laker fans should hope that Batum isn’t impressed by his first season with the Hornets and considers other teams.
Next: Big Man Reinforcements: Whiteside and Jefferson
Nov 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) blocks the shot from New York Knicks guard Arron Afflalo (4) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 95-78. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Hassan Whiteside:
Fit: Good
Likelihood: Fair
If the Lakers don’t choose to retain Roy Hibbert in the off-season, Hassan Whiteside is their best option to replace him. The two players are comparable as rim-protectors, while Whiteside is a far superior rebounder. Although Hibbert has played very well for the Lakers this year, Whiteside may actually be a better fit for the team as he is a few years younger and is the better athlete.
Whiteside would be a strong defensive presence for the struggling team, and his strength and size make him a good finisher around the rim. His athleticism could make him an easy target for the Lakers’ young play makers, while his blocks and rebounds can help start the break more regularly.
However, Whiteside previously worked out for the Lakers and the team chose to not sign him, a fact the center has commented on before. This resentment may make it more difficult for the Lakers to secure the services of the talented big man. If the two parties can settle their differences, the on-court fit definitely won’t be a problem.
Al Jefferson:
Fit: Poor
Likelihood: Low
If the Lakers sign Al Jefferson in this off-season, or even make an attempt to do so, it will show that they have learned nothing from their recent failures. Jefferson, while talented, fits very poorly into a team in need of youth and defense. The lumbering big man excels in the post but is a very poor rim-protector, and at thirty years old will simply be another stop-gap player for the front office to secure empty wins.
Although Al Jefferson would give the Lakers offensive production, his contribution would most likely not even make the Lakers a playoff team, let alone contenders. This would be the exact type of move the Lakers have made to get themselves into this mess. Sacrificing development and rebuilding to prioritize mediocrity and sign players with notable names. Hopefully the front office has learned enough to focus on youth and sustainability this off-season, and not look to sign players like Jefferson.
Next: Restricted Free Agents: Barnes and Ezeli
November 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) shoots the basketball against Chicago Bulls forward Tony Snell (20) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Restricted Free Agents:
These players can only be secured by the Lakers if their team opts to not match the Lakers offer. This is typically a long shot, but there is a possibility that at least one of these two players will be let go by their current team, in favor of a bigger name free agent.
Harrison Barnes:
Fit: Perfect
Likelihood: Uncertain
Harrison Barnes may actually be the best fit with the Lakers of any player in free agency. An extremely athletic wing, Barnes also shot a respectable 40% from deep last year. An efficient scorer in general, the Warrior’s small forward is shooting nearly 50% from the field so far this season. Harrison Barnes is also a solid defender, who is versatile enough to guard multiple positions.
What makes Barnes even more exciting is his age. At only 23 years old Barnes fits perfectly with the young team the Lakers are building, and can be a long-term solution at a position of need. Moreover, Barnes is already a comparable player to Batum and DeRozan, with the potential to develop into much more.
November 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) shoots the basketball against Chicago Bulls forward Doug McDermott (3) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Unfortunately, the Warriors can match any offers for their young swing-man, which definitely complicates things. However, the Warriors may sign a big free agent, in which case they would be forced to let Barnes walk if the off was big enough. Additionally, the Warriors may be unwilling to pay Barnes max money at all, especially with Curry’s new contract looming.
Comically, the Lakers best-case scenario may consist of the Warriors securing a top-flight talent like Durant, thus allowing the Lakers to steal their budding star. If the Lakers are smart, they will offer Harrison Barnes the max and force the Warriors to choose whether to match.
Festus Ezeli:
Fit: Good
Likelihood: Fair
Festus Ezeli is a center for the same team as Harrison Barnes. Ezeli will only be an option for the Lakers if they strike out on Hibbert and Whiteside, but he would make a very nice consolation prize. A solid shot-blocker and athlete, Ezeli would be a nice addition for the Lakers. The Warriors will undoubtedly match on one of these restricted free agents, but Ezeli may be pried away with a large enough offer.
The Lakers have a chance to make progress in their rebuild this off-season, but they must be wary of falling into the trap of mediocrity that so many NBA teams have been caught in.
It would be wise for the Lakers to bide their time and build a solid foundation in this free-agency period, while allowing their young players to continue to develop.
For this to happen, the Lakers must realign their goals with reality and the future in mind. For the Lakers front office, learning from their past failures will be key in being able to find future success.
Next: Lakers Free Agent Acquisitions Proving to be Poor Decisions
Which players do you think the Lakers should focus on in free agency? Make your case in the comments.