22. Kent Bazemore, Atlanta Hawks (Unrestricted)
Lakers fans are certainly familiar with Kent Bazemore after the guard/forward was traded to Los Angeles at the conclusion of the 2013-14 season and spent 23 games the team. That was really the first time he was given ample opportunities to show his value in the NBA after 1.5 seasons with the Warriors and Bazemore shined. And he’s continued shining over the past two years with the Atlanta Hawks to the point that he’s now a really intriguing free agent option.
Bazemore brings so much to the table, but the first thing that really stands out is his length and defensive potential. Though he was a bit inconsistent in this regard this past season, Bazemore has shown the ability to be a lockdown defender with crazy length that causes disruption on the perimeter. What’s really caused his value to rise is his development as an offensive player. He’s shot over 35.5 percent form three over the past two seasons and shot 44 percent from the floor overall last year.
Depending on the type of money he’s commanding on the open market, bringing Bazemore back to the Lakers might not be the worst idea. He’s a player that fits a need and still has upside if he’s given the right chances. As long as he’s not breaking the bank, he should be a target for LA.
Next: No. 21 Boban