Lakers: 5 Players to Avoid in 2016 Free Agency

1. Dwyane Wade

More than any other player who will be hitting the open market this summer in free agency in regards to the Lakers, not one is more frightening than Dwyane Wade.

To be clear, the chances that Wade leaves the Miami Heat are slim. With the loyalty that he’s shown to the organization and the way that they have (albeit reluctantly) reciprocated, that doesn’t seem like a marriage that even an organization with the clout of the Lakers could cause to end in divorce. However, Wade going on the market at least opens up that possibility and that should terrify fans in LA.

For one, Wade’s health is only continuing to decline. While that doesn’t mean that he’s been in decline or unable to stay on the floor, what has been evident over the past couple of seasons is that his body is no longer allowing him to perform like a star player for an 82-game season. He’s shown stark decline in his effectiveness as the past few seasons have worn on and, by the end of the year or the postseason, he just can’t be the D-Wade that’s necessary for him to have the value to a team that he demands.

Next: Lakers' Top 3 Needs Ahead of Trade Deadline

Signing Wade would be one of the most boisterous things that the Lakers could do this offseason. It would make a splash around the league that would send ripples throughout and steal all the headlines. However, it would also be a rebuilding organization putting their faith in the in hands of a noticeably declining soon-to-be 34-year-old for what you’d have to expect would be a pretty penny. It might look good in the papers, but it would look awful on the hardwood.