Los Angeles Lakers: 3 reasons signing Vander Blue was a good move

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 2: Vander Blue #17 and Thomas Bryant #31 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during the game against the Denver Nuggets during a preseason game on October 2, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 2: Vander Blue #17 and Thomas Bryant #31 of the Los Angeles Lakers react during the game against the Denver Nuggets during a preseason game on October 2, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 16: Vander Blue #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives against Dennis Smith Jr. #1 of the Dallas Mavericks during a semifinal game of the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 108-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

3.  Contract

The upcoming summer, and more specifically the free agent signing season, is a big one for the Lakers. It can change the course of the franchise. Available money most certainly has a lot to do with what the Lakers will be able to do as far as signing big-time free agents this summer.

With the current salary cap situation, the Lakers will most certainly be looking to part ways with aging forward Luol Deng. Julius Randle could also be on the move along with center Brook Lopez. Vander Blue could be one veteran presence that could be kept around long-term for a value contract.

That would allow the Lakers to keep the books low and have more room for more than one big-time free agent. Blue would also provide the Lakers a second guard who has impressed in the preseason and Summer League. Blue performed well despite the team giving minutes to Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso.

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Blue’s cheap contract would provide a valuable piece for the Lakers going forward.

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