Ranking the best NBA free agents in 2016 and assessing their fit with and the chances they end up on the Lakers
Pick any year in the NBA and there are going to be some big-name NBA free agents that every team is gawking over. With superstars and high draft picks coming into the league year by year, that’s just how things work. However, 2016 NBA free agency is a bit more curious than normal given everything around it.
Not only are there some massive names that are either for sure or could possibly be hitting the open market this offseason, but there are also going to be a ton of teams that have an enormous amount of cap space as the salary cap is set to spike as the new TV deal with the league kicks in. That’s going to leave plenty of teams with the room to try and sign some of these big-name NBA free agents that will be available.
One team that’s going to have that flexibility is going to be the Los Angeles Lakers and it certainly comes at an interesting time. Not only are the Lakers rebuilding in a major way around their young players that they’ve drafted over the past few years, but they are also moving into a post-Kobe Bryant era and doing so with over $60 million in room underneath the salary cap this summer.
With the Lakers having those types of moves to make and the ability to really make some noise in free agency, it’s important to assess everything that’s out there and see how the Lakers factor in. Having that in mind, here’s a look at our top 25 NBA free agents for the 2016 offseason and what the chances are that the Lakers sign them.
Next: No. 25 Turner
25. Evan Turner, Boston Celtics (Unrestricted)
Evan Turner is quite honestly one of the more divisive players in the entire NBA. Those people who are in support of him—most of whom are admittedly Boston Celtics fans—avidly are behind him and quick to defend what he can do on a basketball court. Then there are those fans who think that Evan Turner based on his talent is lucky to be a water boy for an NBA team, much less an integral piece on a team. The interesting part is that there isn’t much middle ground there in the public opinion and perception.
With that being said, the 27-year-old guard has been productive over the past two years with the Celtics and was actually quite good at times this past season in that system. In 81 games played for Boston last year, Turner put up 10.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and one steal in 28 minutes per game. Perhaps the most refreshing part given his numbers in the past was that he shot 45.6 percent form the floor on the year.
Even with a nice season under his belt, though, the Lakers should definitely steer clear of Turner. He’s not a great defender and an awful three-point shooter, which are both of the things they need from any wing that they plan on signing or pursuing this offseason. Even without LA involved, it’ll be hilarious to see people react to whatever deal Turner gets this offseason.
Next: No. 24 Jennings
24. Brandon Jennings, Orlando Magic (Unrestricted)
Talk about a free agent that I have absolutely no idea what to make of, that’s exactly what Brandon Jennings is coming off of his half of a season with the Orlando Magic after the Detroit Pistons sent him down south as part of the Tobias Harris trade. Jennings is less than a year removed from a major Achilles injury, but seemed to be on his way to recovering nicely at the end of last year.
What people might forget, though, is that Jennings was actually playing some of the best basketball of his career prior to rupturing his Achilles two seasons ago. Though he’s never been lacking in regards to talent, Jennings finally seemed to be putting it all together in regards to his mental approach to the game. He was making smarter decision when he had the ball in his hands in regards to both passing and taking shots. Jennings truly looked like a player on the rise in a big, big way.
Though the injury stifled that, it’ll be interesting to see what value he has on the open market as an unrestricted free agent this offseason. While I don’t see the Lakers going anywhere near him this summer, I think it’d be interesting to see him sign a one-year deal with a team in need of a point guard or sixth man to see if he can recapture the magic he had before the injury. Who knows what actually happens, but that seems like the ideal option for both Jennings and any team that signs him.
Next: No. 23 Rondo
23. Rajon Rondo, Sacramento Kings (Unrestricted)
It doesn’t get too much more enigmatic in the NBA than Rajon Rondo. Essentially from the moment that he joined the Boston Celtics as a rookie out of Kentucky, the point guard has been reeling off one eccentricity after another. Though it seemed like his career might be over after a failed stint with the Dallas Mavericks in the 2014-15 season, Rondo really turned the narrative around this past season, though, as he showed a ton of promise and a bit of rejuvenation for the Sacramento Kings.
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Obviously age has robbed Rondo—to a large degree at least—of what was once one of his biggest strengths in regards to his defense. While a younger Rondo was a pest on the perimeter that could create steals seemingly at will, he’s not the same athlete or player that’s able to make those plays anymore. However, he’s still a player that can create and facilitate better than most and he showed more willingness to score in Sacramento than he had in recent years.
As far as the Lakers go, though, this is a firm stay-away for them. Not only do they already have D’Angelo Russel on the roster and don’t need any players coming in to further complicate things, but Rondo is also the type of enigma that they don’t need as they try to establish a positive culture in a post-Kobe era. If I’m the Lakers, Rondo’s not even getting a call even with the resurgence he had this past season.
Next: No. 22 Bazemore
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
21. Boban Marjanovic, San Antonio Spurs (Restricted)
One of the free agents that not enough people are talking about heading into this offseason is San Antonio Spurs big man Boban Marjanovic. Marjanovic became somewhat of a cult hero this past season with his size and his enthralling personality when it comes to how he’s presented to the public. However, one thing that got kind of lost as he was playing sparingly behind the likes of Tim Duncan, David West, and LaMarcus Aldridge is that Boban showed signs of being a real problem in the frontcourt for other teams.
Obviously the first things that sticks out when you talk about Boban is just his size. He is quite simply a massive human being that isn’t a bean pole, has tremendous strength, and really just looks like a bear to deal with no matter what end of the floor you’re on. What really makes him look quite special as an NBA player, though, is that he has a real fluidity to his game. If you watch him down low on offense, he has moves and quickness that you normally wouldn’t see from a guy with his physical attributes.
Who honestly knows what happens with Boban this summer. I could see a team throwing an absurd amount of money at him based on his potential and I could see him just elected to re-sign with San Antonio. However, he’s definitely a player that hasn’t generated the buzz that he probably should heading into free agency in 2016.
Next: No. 20 Gordon
20. Eric Gordon, New Orleans Pelicans (Unrestricted)
Remember the times whenever Eric Gordon was looked at as one of those NBA players that was always given the caveat “but if he can stay healthy…” and then people would go on and on about his potential as an NBA guard? That feels like it was a long time ago and that caveat is almost extinct in connection to Gordon’s name. Given the fact that he seemingly can’t stay healthy for a full season to save his life, it’s more a question of how many games is he going to miss as opposed to if he can stay healthy.
That being said, Gordon still has the ability to show flashes of real greatness when he is on the floor. Though his season was shortened tremendously this past year due to injuries (of course) with the New Orleans Pelicans (those poor souls), he had a handful of games in the 2015-16 season that really turned some heads around the league. He’s a versatile guard that can really fill it up from all over the floor when he’s healthy and on.
Given his issues with his health and given the fact that the Lakers aren’t exactly in a position with their rebuilding process where they need injury risks taking up chunks of their salary cap, it’d be mildly shocking to see them go after Gordon free agency. If his value dips low enough, though, it would be intriguing to see if the Lakers would take a look at him and take a minor gamble.
Next: No. 19 Clarkson
19. Jordan Clarkson, Los Angeles Lakers (Restricted)
Lakers fans are clearly familiar with the work of guard Jordan Clarkson. Though he’s only been in the league for two years, he came into the NBA to Los Angeles as a second-round pick, thus meaning that he’s due to hit restricted free agency this summer. Given what he’s show, especially on the offensive end of the floor, through his first two seasons, he’s almost surely going to garner quite a bit of attention around the league.
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Clarkson has shown over the past two years that he is a driven worker that is improving seemingly by the day. While he came into the NBA and the Lakers with a decent handle and great athleticism, he’s really developed his jump shot and become a complete offensive player—or closer to complete at least. Sure, he needs work on the defensive end of the floor, but JC has shown he has tremendous value on an NBA court.
If Clarkson were to leave the Lakers this summer, it would come as a shock to just about everyone. He really seems to love the Los Angeles lifestyle off the floor and Lakers fans have taken to him nicely in regards to his popularity. Moreover, he’s expressed desires to stay here. Really the only question is if there is a limit on what the Lakers would be willing to pay him and, on a related note, just how much of the Lakers cap space Clarkson will be taking up to be re-signed.
Next: No. 18 Ezeli
18. Festus Ezeli, Golden State Warriors (Restricted)
Obviously anyone who is possibly coming off the books for the Golden State Warriors is going to garner quite a bit of interest around the league. Teams want to bring in players who come from winning cultures and have the right mentality about them, which is something that the Warriors have been breeding over the past few years. All of that mixed with the fact that he’s shown flashes of real brilliance throughout his career make Festus Ezeli a super intriguing free agent this summer.
Though he’s one of many players in this free agent class that has had trouble staying on the floor on a consistent basis, Ezeli has shown that he can be highly productive when he’s on the floor. For a guy with his size and strength, he’s mobile and skilled on both ends of the floor and can really do a lot of things well that most players with his frame wouldn’t be able to do.
However, Ezeli’s free agency is obviously complicated for a number of reason. For one, no one really knows if he can be a No. 1 option at center in this league. Secondly, there’s the health concerns that have always been there with him. And lastly, there’s the fact that he’s just a restricted free agent and the Warriors could match any offer that he signs this offseason. So even if the Lakers are intrigued and try to sign him, it just doesn’t feel like an ideal match—even at a position of need.
Next: No. 17 Noah
17. Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls (Unrestricted)
There are obviously always going to be divisive figures when it comes to free agency. There are players that some people like better than others, players that fit in certain places and roles but don’t fit quite as well into others, and of course there’s always the question of how much money any player is worth on the open market. Things become a lot more complicated, though, when you’re talking about someone like Chicago Bulls big man Joakim Noah.
At his peak, Noah was one of the most fearsome frontcourt players in the entire league—and that wasn’t entirely too long ago. Noah was obviously huge on the defensive end of the floor as an anchor on the interior that was able to block shots, garner steals, and bark out orders for his teammates. However, he was also valuable on the offensive end as a solid pick-and-roll player and as one of the most gifted passers as a big man in the NBA.
However, a litany of injuries and a ton of minutes early in his career have caught up to him as of late and he’s simply had a hard time staying on the floor. When he’s been on the floor, though, he’s also looked like a shell of himself. However, that potential of what he can be when healthy is still there and intriguing. For the Lakers, though, it honestly feels like too great of a risk for them to take and, though a guaranteed healthy Noah might be worth a loo, I see LA staying away.
Next: No. 16 Parsons
16. Chandler Parsons, Dallas Mavericks (Player Option)
We should start off talking about Chandler Parsons by saying that I don’t think he’s ever going to hit the open market and technically put his name among this class of NBA free agents. The Dallas Mavericks forward undoubtedly is skilled and highly valuable when he’s healthy. However, he’s coming off of a major injury that cost him effectiveness and time this past year, all of which changes everything heading into this offseason.
Coming off of a healthy and normal season, you’d have to imagine that Parson would indeed be game to see what his value is on the open market and he’d likely get a huge contract given the spike in the salary cap. However, Parsons’ recent injuries ruin that in a major way and there would likely be a tentative approach to targeting him in free agency for most teams. Subsequently, I don’t see him turning down a $16 million player option.
Stranger things have happened than a player turning down sure money where he could go out and earn more for next year, but you can never predict when that’s going to happen. Therefore, I don’t really see the Lakers ever even having the chance to go after Parsons.
Next: No. 15 Gasol
15. Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls (Player Option)
The mere sight of the name Pau Gasol almost certainly has Lakers fans dipping into a pool of nostalgia about his glory days with the organization playing alongside Kobe—you know, back when the Lakers were contending for titles. Now there’s a good possibility that the veteran big man will be back on the open market if he declines his $7.8 million player option for next year and, given what he showed this past season with the Chicago Bulls.
Even in one of the most overpopulated frontcourts in the entire NBA, Gasol was the driving force of the Bulls on the interior. While he’s not nearly the defender nor the same type of dynamic player that he once was in his prime, he’s still a skilled big man with legitimate size that can score, rebound, and even block shots at a high rate in the NBA.
It would certainly be a degree of poetic to have Gasol come to Los Angeles in a post-Kobe era to help along the young players on the Lakers roster. However, with the clear animosity that Gasol harbors for how he was treated by the front office, it doesn’t seem like there’s a chance of hell he’s going to be wearing the Purple and Gold again.
Next: No. 14 Beal
14. Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards (Restricted)
Whenever Bradley Beal has been healthy and on the floor for the Washington Wizards over his young career, you’d be hard pressed to find fans who know the game of basketball that aren’t impressed with what he’s capable of. He’s a fantastic shooter that can absolutely fill it up from long range, but is also an underrated athlete and defender while also being a near ideal complement to a player like John Wall in a backcourt.
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The issue, though is the fact that Beal has had a bear of a time staying on the floor over the course of his brief career. The guard from Florida has dealt with a slew of lower body injuries and, even more concerning, stress-related injuries that have been seemingly lingering around since he entered the league. Subsequently, what he’s worth on the open market is really a mystery at this point given his struggles with his health.
Because of those injuries concerns and the Lakers’ need for stability, I wouldn’t expect a strong pursuit of Beal from the Lakers this summer. If they somehow could get him on a deal, then perhaps this would work. However, that doesn’t seem likely and the match just doesn’t seem to be there when you get down to it.
Next: No. 13 Barnes
13. Harrison Barnes, Golden State Warriors (Restricted)
A name that has been tossed around quite a bit this offseason in regards to players that will be getting max contracts and in terms of potential options for the Lakers has been Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes. That’s been the case for quite some time now, but the chatter has been ramped up a bit as of late since the recent hiring of Luke Walton to be the next head coach in Los Angeles. Now the idea of reuniting Barnes and Walton in LA has people buzzing.
Obviously Barnes hasn’t had the opportunity to shine with Golden State in the way that he would have for other teams—it’s an occupational hazard of playing alongside guys like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. However, he’s a highly gifted player in terms of physical tools and skill and one that seemingly has limitless potential. That much of his value is based on potential in regards to a possible max deal, though, is intriguing.
With Walton in house and with the need at small forward, you have to imagine that the Lakers will at least be somewhat involved in a pursuit of Barnes. As a restricted free agent, the Warriors can match any offer that HB40 signs, though, so that may be the most interesting part of the plot with Barnes’ free agency.
Next: No. 12 Duncan
12. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs (Players Option)
Much like a slew of other players around this spot in these rankings (we’ll get to some), Tim Duncan is a bit of a special case. He’s obviously not going to be suiting up for anyone other than the San Antonio Spurs, though. He’s spent the entirety of his illustrious career as a part of the organization and he’s not the type of player that’s going to go elsewhere to middle around in the twilight of his career.
What’s going to be ridiculously curious this offseason, though, is waiting to see if Duncan is playing in the NBA at all next year. No, he’s not going to spend his middle-age years in China—but he might be retiring. After the Spurs were ousted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs, Duncan’s future was on the mind of everyone around the league. He wouldn’t speak on the subject just then, but there’s clearly a chance that this is the end of the road in the NBA for the Big Fundamental.
Regardless, his inclusion among this list of NBA free agents is at least a little fraudulent as there seemingly are only two options for Duncan. He’s either opting in or retiring. Anything else would be completely and entirely unheard of at this point.
Next: No. 11 Dirk
11. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks (Player Option)
If there’s one thing that can be said with virtually 100 percent certainty about the 2016 class of NBA free agents, it’s the fact that Dirk Nowitzki is going to be staying with the Dallas Mavericks. Not that the Lakers completely have a spot for him right now considering what they’re currently building, but it pretty much just goes without saying that Dirk isn’t going anywhere at all.
However, Dirk does have a player option for next season that comes after he signed a deal with the Mavs for less money than he could’ve gotten elsewhere (and quite frankly deserved) so that he could stay in Dallas. He’s shown nothing but a tremendous amount of loyalty to Mark Cuban and the Mavericks organization over the course of his career and no one should expect any changes in that regard in the 2016 offseason.
What will be interesting to watch, though, is whether or not he opts into the last year of his contract or if he elects to opt out. If he chooses to go the latter route, it will almost surely be to try and get a bit more money at the end of his career rather than continue help the Mavericks save money. Either way, it’d be a massive surprise if he’s anywhere other than Dallas next season.
Next: No. 10 Batum
10. Nicolas Batum, Charlotte Hornets (Unrestricted)
One of the most valuable NBA free agents this offseason in regards of what he can bring to the table is quietly going to be Charlotte Hornets swing man Nicolas Batum. Batum was traded to the Hornets for the last year of his deal and was a revelation with the change of scenery as he helped to lead Charlotte to the postseason with his contributions as a forward with a high level of skill and versatility.
Batum brings a ton to the table on both ends of the floor as he can play successfully at multiple positions with a terrific blend of skill, length, and athleticism. He’s a viable threat to score from the perimeter with a nice jump shot, but also has the handle and length to get into the paint in space and score over rim protectors. Moreover, he can use that length to really lock down opponents on the perimeter.
If there’s one player Lakers fans should want the team to go hard after that’s not Kevin Durant, it should be Batum. While he’s expressed his desire to stay with the Hornets, he’s exactly what LA needs moving forward. He’s a veteran that can defend and score and could really bring everything together.
Next: No. 9 Dwight
9. Dwight Howard, Houston Rockets (Player Option)
Lakers fans are probably already cursing the name of Dwight Howard before anything’s been said about the big man. And quite frankly, that’s not an entirely unjustified reaction. The organization took a big risk and gave up assets to acquire Howard in the hopes that they could chase at least one more talent with Kobe on the roster. However, Dwight wasn’t cut out mentally (or physically) for those rigors and the experiment failed miserably and ended after just one season.
Quite similarly spectacular in failure was the Houston Rockets this past season as Dwight was the center for that team as well. Houston was expected to be a true contender in the Western Conference this past season, but they fizzled out in tremendous fashion as they barely won only a single game in the first round of the playoffs against the Warriors. Now he’s expected to opt out of the final year of his deal and test the open market.
Even still, Howard is going to be highly coveted in free agency this summer. Even if he’s on the decline and on the wrong side of 30 years old at this point, players of his size and athleticism are far from common and are still a valuable commodity in the NBA. However, don’t expect the Lakers to even halfway consider bringing him back to LA.
Next: No. 8 Wade
8. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat (Unrestricted)
Dwyane Wade being a force in the NBA has been a known certainty for over a decade at this point as he’s been at the top of the league for quite some time with the Miami Heat. Despite showing a bit of decline over the past few years, though, Wade has still shown that he can dip into the time machine and get it done on big stages.
However, Wade is in an interesting position as he enters free agency this offseason. Considering that he’s 34 years old and was near in a impasse with the Heat the last time that they had contract negotiations (this was just last offseason, for what it’s worth) that could potentially leave a tricky bit of negotiations on the table for D-Wade and the team that he’s led for so long at this point—especially if he’s looking to make $20 million per year again.
With that being said, you have to hope that the Lakers are smart enough to stay away from Wade in free agency. While he would obviously bring a brand and star power, he’s not a player that makes a bit of sense for a team trying to usher in a new era. As such, the hope is that the Lakers have no shot at signing Wade—but you never know.
Next: No. 7 DeRozan
7. DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors (Unrestricted)
Especially when you talk about the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016 NBA free agency, one of the names that has continually popped up in connection with the franchise has been Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan. He’s almost surely going to command a max contract this offseason and there are going to be a number of teams interested—and the Lakers are expected to be one of those teams. However, there’s obviously a lot involved in that decision for DeRozan and the Lakers.
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DeRozan has shown time and again that he can be a valuable commodity for the Raptors and when he’s in the right situation. He has the handles and athleticism to get open and create his own shot and also the ability to get open without the ball. While not a great outside shooter, he’s great at drawing fouls, getting to the rim, and has improved his mid-range jump shooting. Moreover, his physical gifts lend to him having tremendous defensive potential.
Whether you like it or not as a Lakers fan, the team is at least going to talk to DeRozan. He’s an LA kid and the narrative writes itself. However, he’s also a player that doesn’t make sense for this team as they need proven defenders and high quality outside scorers. Given DeRozan’s deficiencies in that regard, hopefully LA stays away even if they initially pursue him.
Next: No. 6 Horford
6. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks (Unrestricted)
One of the most interesting things about this free agent class coming into the 2016 offseason is the plethora of high quality big men that will be available for teams to try and sign. However, one of the most high impact veterans that will be on the open market this offseason that is also underrated in terms of what he can do for a team on both ends of the floor is Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford.
Despite the transition from one era to another with the Hawks in recent years, Horford has continued to remain successful as an individual and as a leader in Atlanta. On the offensive end of the floor, he’s a versatile player that can score in the pick-and-roll, with his back to the basket, and can step out into the mid-range and knock down short jumpers. Defensively, he’s a fantastic team defender capable of really anchoring a defense on the interior.
Given the Lakers need for a center this offseason, LA should definitely have Horford in mind when they go shopping on the open market. If they didn’t, at the very least, offer Horford a max contract, I would be shocked.
Next: No. 5 Whiteside
5. Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat (Unrestricted)
It seems like there is at least one player in every crop of NBA free agents that is wholly divisive to fans, front offices, coaches, and even players in regards to what he’s worth and what teams should be willing to pay to bring him into their system. Though there are a number of guys that qualify in that regard to some degree, no player is more indicative of that situation than Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside.
In terms of just statistical output, there truly aren’t many young players that jump off the page in the way that Whiteside does. He’s a progressing offensive talent that can be dangerous in pick-and-roll situations as the roll-man that keeps getting better by the day. Whiteside is also one of the most prolific shot blockers in the entire league in addition to being a good rebounder.
What makes Whiteside such a divisive figure, though, is the fact that many people wonder about his maturity still and wonder how much of his production is just empty stats meant to make him look good as an individual without the team in mind.
Obviously that complicates things for a team like the Lakers, but you have to imagine that Whiteside is on their radar in a big way. Los Angeles needs a center and he’s one of the best on the market.
Next: No. 4 Conley
4. Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies (Unrestricted)
When you talk about conflicting feelings when it comes to NBA free agents, it’s instances like looking at a player like Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley through the eyes of the Lakers that really define it. Obviously the Lakers are in need of high-end talent to really get back to former glory and expedite the rebuilding process and Conley is a player that has proven he can be a two-way commodity to really aid them in doing just that.
At the same time, though, one of the greatest assets that the Lakers already have is point guard D’Angelo Russell. Unfortunately when it comes to Conley, that happens to be the same position that the Grizzlies point guard plays. In essence, signing Conley if you’re the Lakers would mean giving up on Russell after just one season of him playing in LA and not being willing to take a risk on watching him develop further as his career progresses.
Given the difficult decision involved with all of this and Conley, you’d have to imagine that Conley really isn’t a viable option for the Lakers this summer. Though he’s clearly one of the best players on the open market, he won’t be residing in LA next season.
Next: No. 3 Drummond
3. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons (Restricted)
Coming into the 2012 NBA Draft, there weren’t any teams really questioning the talent of the big center out of UConn, Andre Drummond as he made his way into the league. However, there were concerns about how hard he played in college and about his mentality as he entered the ranks of professional basketball. It’s safe to say that he’s made the Detroit Pistons look quite smart for taking him at No. 9 in that draft over the last four years.
Drummond has developed each year that he’s been in the league and has truly become a dominant force. While he’s not a tremendous shot blocker defensively, he’s progressed miles on that end of the floor. In addition to that, he’s one of the most lethal roll-men in the entire league. His averages this past season of 16.2 points, 14.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game were no fluke as he’s capable of that almost night in and night out against anyone.
Free throw shooting (which is abysmal) aside, Drummond is going to be coveted highly as a restricted free agent this offseason. However, it seems like there’s no team other than Detroit—including the Lakers—that are going to have any chance of landing him as the Pistons will match anything so to keep him around.
Next: No. 2 LeBron
2. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers (Player Option)
What needs to be said about LeBron James at this point in his career? Even though he’s been in the league since 2003 and has won his share of MVPs and NBA Championships, he still hasn’t slowed down too noticeably in regards to his performance and is now set on bringing a title to his “hometown” of Cleveland.
After that pursuit of the title concludes, though, James has a player option for next season for around $24 million. Given the premise that he’s been operating under as of late with opting out and signing a new deal, that’s what many can expect LeBron to do this offseason.
During the regular season, it appeared like LeBron might actually be on his way out for the Cavaliers given the things he was saying on social media and so son and the way that the season was going in Cleveland. However, that’s looking less and less like an actual possibility given what he and his team have done in the postseason.
Given that I don’t see him even remotely thinking about leaving the Cavs this offseason (or ever again, for that matter), it’s safe to say that the Lakers don’t have much of a shot at LeBron, even if he has to be considered atop the class of NBA free agents.
Next: No. 1 Durant
1. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder (Unrestricted)
If an NBA team has the room under the salary cap this offseason to offer Kevin Durant the money to come to their city, that team is going to offer the money. That includes the Los Angeles Lakers and a slew of other teams that rightfully have Durant on the top of their list of targets in 2016 NBA free agency. Even with LeBron James potentially opting out (or even leaving), it’s all about Durant when it comes to free agency this summer.
One year removed from major foot surgery that cost him all of last season, Durant fully recovered to have a phenomenal season. In the 72 games that he played in the regular season, he put up 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, five assists. 1.2 blocks, and one steal per game while shooting 50.5 percent from the floor and 38.6 percent from three.
Any team would be lucky to have Durant on their team considering what he’s capable of and the fact that he’s only 27 years old. However, the real question is whether or not the Lakers actually have a shot.
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In all honesty, it’s hard to say what’s going to happen with Durant, so you’d have to say that the Lakers have as much of a chance as any big-market team with the cap space to sign him. Regardless, it’ll be a furious fight to sign the best of the NBA free agents in 2016.