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Lakers: 5 Players to Avoid in 2016 Free Agency

By Cody Williams

Jan 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) reacts to a call by the official during the third quarter in a game against the Charlotte Hornets at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 104-94. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) reacts to a call by the official during the third quarter in a game against the Charlotte Hornets at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 104-94. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 6, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) dribbles the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Nick Collison (4) defends during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) dribbles the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Nick Collison (4) defends during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Jeff Green

Jeff Green has never been a superstar in this league (or even a star really), which makes him stand out from the rest of the players on this list. However, that doesn’t change the fact that the current Memphis Grizzlies forward will be on the open market this summer and that the Lakers need to be sure to stay far away from him.

The reasons for labeling Green in this regard for the Lakers have nothing to do with talent. Green has shown on numerous occasions and stops throughout his career that he is, in fact, supremely gifted as an athlete and basketball player. However, problems with inconsistency have plagued him over the course of his career as well and he has settled into a role as a high upside, low floor role player for most of his tenure in the Association.

With the spike in the salary cap, a player with Green’s proven talent is going to demand what would seem like an ungodly amount of money given this season’s cap. And while the new financial constraints change that, Green isn’t the type of player that the Lakers should be in pursuit of. For a young team that’s already going to have to endure the ups and downs of relying on youthful prospects, they don’t need a veteran role player who they have the same concerns with.

Signing Green wouldn’t be a travesty like some of the other signings on this list would be for the Lakers, but it would be a move that would ultimately hurt the rebuilding process for the franchise and stunt the growth of the team.

Next: No. 4 Joe Johnson

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