Los Angeles Lakers: 5 under the radar free agents to target
By Matt Leaman
Thabo Sefolosha
Sefolosha has played 12 seasons in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder, and most recently with the Atlanta Hawks. The best defender on this list, Sefolosha is coming off an up and down season with the Atlanta Hawks.
He played in 62 games in which he started 42. With the Hawks, he averaged 7.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, but battled injuries and fell out of the rotation by the end of the season.
Offensively, he was a solid contributor last season. Not known for his offense, the 33-year old Sefolosha provided the Hawks with a 44.1 percent field goal rate, making 34.2 percent from beyond the arc. He made 41 3’s on 120 attempts for the season. As he continues to lose some of the speed he used to have, he continues to work on becoming a three-point shooter exclusively.
Always a great defender throughout his whole career, Sefolosha took a few steps back last season because of injuries. Yet, opponents still only shot 45.4% from the field, and 33.2% from three ball territory.
Sefolosha made close to $3.9 million dollars last year, but coming off a few injuries may not get as much money next season as expected. Lakers should offer him $3 million for one season, and if declined, move on towards other options.