Dec 28, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Louis Williams (23) talks to guard
(1) during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
The Lakers are going to be major players in 2016 NBA free agency, but who should they target outside of Kevin Durant
The Los Angeles Lakers are going to make a play for Kevin Durant in 2016 NBA free agency. The Lakers and virtually any other team with room under the inflating salary cap next summer will be vying for the services of one of the game’s transcendent talents and they’d be foolish not to do so.
However, with how the Lakers have fared in recent free agency periods, it’s fair to say that they should go into the summer of 2016 with a contingency plan in case they don’t get Durant—especially considering that the Lakers aren’t widely considered to be among KD’s top destinations.
The Lakers will enter 2016 free agency with the opportunity to really make some noise and take substantial leaps forward. With the cap jumping to somewhere around $89 million for next season, LA will only have just over $26 million on the books. That gives them a ton of room to make signings to help the team truly rebuild in a post-Kobe Bryant era.
While landing Durant to put around the young core of D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, and Jordan Clarkson (assuming the Lakers re-sign Clarkson as a restricted free-agent) would be the most ideal of situations, he’s by no means the only high quality player that will be on the open market.
Subsequently, the Lakers should be ready to pursue some of the other top guys on the market. Looking at the players that will be available beyond Durant, here’s a quick look at five upper-tier players that should be on the radar of the Lakers front office.
(Note: This does not include players with an option in their contract for the 2016-17 season that could thrust them into free agency)
Next: No. 5 Noah
Dec 2, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center
(13) reacts after dunking the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
5. Joakim Noah
Of the players on this list, current Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah is without question the riskiest option available. Given his injury history in recent seasons, including him being sidelined right now with a shoulder injury, and the fact that his performance has ultimately declined from when he was an MVP candidate, there’s no telling how the Lakers signing him would work out.
Working in an ideal scenario, Noah would be a tremendous asset in Los Angeles. Not only would he help the defensively anemic team rebuild in that regard, but would also help revolutionize the offense with how he can facilitate out of the high post. Even more importantly, he’s not a player that demands the ball a great deal in the offense, which would allow the like of D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson to continue developing more with the ball in their hands.
Again, there’s an inherent risk involved with whichever team signs Noah this summer. That being said, it could be a move that would really revolutionize the Lakers if it were to work out ideally. At the very least, he needs to be on the radar.
Next: No. 4
Dec 21, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks center
(15) shoots the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Trail Blazers 106-97. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
4. Al Horford
Al Horford has been one of the most underrated frontcourt players in the NBA for quite some time, able to affect the game on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor for the Atlanta Hawks over his career. Horford has long been a quality player and, as he hits the market this summer, he’s a player that would make a great deal of sense to put beside Julius Randle in the frontcourt.
Horford is going to demand a hefty contract in free agency, even as he’s having a bit of a down year in Atlanta. Even still, his averages of 15 points and seven assists per game this year are certainly more than respectable. Given how he offers tremendous versatility in terms of his offensive attack and the fact that he can hold his own defending opposing big men on the interior, that would be huge for the Lakers moving forward.
There’s a good chance that Horford is going to remain in Atlanta if they offer him the money he deserves, but that shouldn’t stop the Lakers from at least throwing a big number at the big man in free agency and trying to lure him to the west coast. He’s an underrated option that could have a majorly positive effect on the franchise moving forward.
Next: No. 3 Barnes
November 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward
(40) shoots the basketball against Chicago Bulls forward
(20) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
3. Harrison Barnes
Considering his success both as an individual and as a player with the Golden State Warriors, Harrison Barnes is going to demand a hefty contract this offseason. As a restricted free agent, the Warriors will be able to match any deal thrown his way as he hits the market. Whether or not they’ll be willing to put another big contract on the books remains to be seen.
Barnes is a fantastic two-way player who is one of the many unique options for Golden State that allows them to play their lethal brand of small-ball. His length and size allows him to defend multiple positions, as does his quickness and agility for a player his size. He could really serve as an anchor on the perimeter for the Lakers defense.
Throw in the fact that Barnes is also a high quality threat to score from the perimeter and that he also has the athleticism to be near unstoppable when he attacks the rim and Barnes is a highly intriguing option for the Lakers to pursue in free agency next summer. For a player with his talent and the upside ahead of him considering his age, he’s a player the LA front office should unquestionably go after.
Next: No. 2 Batum
Dec 21, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard
(5) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Hornets 102-95. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
2. Nicolas Batum
Especially considering how beneficial he has been to the Charlotte Hornets in his first season as a part of that team this season, Nicolas Batum should be one of the hottest commodities on the market in 2016 NBA free agency. Much like Barnes, Batum is a lethal and versatile threat on both ends of the floor and offers many attributes that would be great for the Lakers as they try and move on past the Kobe era.
Batum’s defensive capabilities is one of the primary reasons why the current Hornets forward should be on the Lakers’ radar. He has the length and agility to keep up with some of the best players on the perimeter throughout the league, but also has the size to match up with some power forwards and even defend fours in small ball lineups.
Then you have Batum’s offensive capabilities where he’s a versatile and capable scorer, but also is an incredible passer that can facilitate an offense while not being the primary ball-handler. Throwing him into the fold with the Lakers young core would be interesting and would almost surely be helpful in helping the team grow towards being successful once again.
Next: No. 1 Whiteside
Dec 26, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward
(14) is pushed back by Miami Heat center
(21) during the second half of a basketball game at Amway Center.The Miami Heat won 108-101. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
1. Hassan Whiteside
Perhaps the biggest wildcard in all of free agency this summer is going to be current Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside. Since midway through the 2014-15 season, Whiteside has become one of the most dominant and athletic rim protectors and shot blockers in the NBA. Considering the Lakers’ need for an athletic defender on the interior, Whiteside would be a huge asset in Los Angeles.
The big man’s defensive abilities are obviously going to carry his value as he hits the open market, but it’s not the only thing that he brings to the table. He’s also a more than capable scorer in pick-and-roll situations with the length and quickness that the majority of opposing big men can’t totally handle when they are trying to defend Whiteside.
The two major questions about Whiteside as he enters free agency is how he would fare outside of Miami and what his full potential as an NBA center actually is. He’s going to demand a big contract without question and, at the very least, the Lakers should explore the option of bringing him into Los Angeles. If everything were to work out with him, it would be a move that could very well change the course of the franchise for the better.