Los Angeles Lakers: Top 3 free agents team should target
The Los Angeles Lakers management team of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka have been working the phone lines intently this offseason trying to rebuild the franchise back into its status as the premier organization in the NBA.
Prior to the draft, the Lake Show pulled the plug on the D’Angelo Russell era when they jettisoned him and Timofey Mozgov off to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez and 27th pick of the draft. On draft night, they selected Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, and Thomas Bryant; all four of the draft picks are players who like to get out into transition.
Probably the most important time of the year is the free agency period, which officially began July 1. The long-term plan should be to put length, passing, and shooting around Lonzo and versatility on both ends of the floor.
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Depending on what the league puts the salary cap number for the 2017/18 season at, the Lakers will have between $12 and $18 million dollars to spend this summer.
With the goal of having cap space to go hard at two max-level free agents next summer, the front office will be looking to offer one-year deals in discussions. With one-year offers, they will have to wait for players to run out of better options.
Truthfully, this would be a good time to stand pat but the glaring need on the roster is a playmaker who can help Lonzo keep the ball in running the offense. Whether it’s a backup point guard or a wing player who is great at passing, the Lakers need to add another facilitator.
Here are the top three players they should target as these guys check off the necessary boxes.