Lakers Free Agency 2016: 5 Cheap Players to Target

Mar 15, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Louis Williams (23) and Sacramento Kings guard Seth Curry (30) collide during an NBA game at Staples Center. The Kings defeated the Lakers 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Louis Williams (23) and Sacramento Kings guard Seth Curry (30) collide during an NBA game at Staples Center. The Kings defeated the Lakers 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 21, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Jon Leuer (30) reacts to a call made in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Memphis Grizzlies won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Jon Leuer (30) reacts to a call made in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Memphis Grizzlies won 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jon Leuer (Unrestricted)

Not to mince words in any way, but the Phoenix Suns were an absolute dumpster fire last season. Between injuries, horrible chemistry issues, coaches being fired because of those chemistry issues, and so on, things were just never right. However, one player that was surprisingly able to shine through out of their frontcourt in the second half of the season was veteran power forward Jon Leuer. As Leuer now becomes an unrestricted free agent, he’s a guy the Lakers should have an eye on.

Overall last season, Leuer had quite a respectable year as he put up 8.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in only 18.7 minutes per contest. However, it’s when you look at when he was given ample opportunities to play throughout the year that you see where he really shined for the Suns. His peak month in playing time was December as he played 26.1 minutes per game. Over that stretch, he put up 11.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 1.6 assists per night while shooting 52.8 percent from the floor and even 39.4 percent on 1.9 three-point attempts per contest.

Leuer showed he can be a does-the-dirty-work type power forward that can also provide flurries of offense as well. He fits into the same mold coming off of the bench as Nicholson would, only with a little more contribution elsewhere on the floor. He could be a sneaky good pickup for the Lakers if they were to give him a look.

Next: No. 2 Seth Curry