Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking the top 5 free agents in 2018 and 2019
It is a rarity that superstars come off the books in bunches in a span of two years, but who is truly fit to be with the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Los Angeles Lakers created maximum cap space in a trade on which I evaluated. Last month, the Lakers acquired two expiring contracts in Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye from the Cavaliers. According to ESPN NBA Insider Bobby Marks, the Lakers could have over $69M to work with this offseason.
The Lakers now take on the expiring $6.3M contract of Isaiah Thomas and $7.4M expiring contract of Channing Frye. The Lakers now project to have $46.9M in room this summer. The cap space will increase to $69M if they do not bring back Julius Randle and... https://t.co/5ZDrl5aI3I
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 8, 2018
This gives Los Angeles the flexibility to work with for two straight offseasons. Who should be on the Lakers radar? We divulge into the top five free agents for 2018 and 2019.
All statistics are taken from NBA Stats, Basketball-Reference, and Cleaning the Glass unless mentioned otherwise.
NBA FA Honorable Mentions
Kevin Durant (SF/PF, Golden State Warriors, 2018 UFA)
In 2017, Durant broke off from his mutual relationship with Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder and joined the team which beat Michael Jordan‘s 1996 Chicago Bulls regular season record for wins at 73.
After blowing a historic 3-1 lead, Durant managed to help Stephen Curry fight off against Cavaliers superstar LeBron James for the NBA Championship, winning Finals MVP in the process. So why am I leaving off the second best player in the league from this list?
For one, Durant is 100% likely to re-sign with the Warriors. His teammate Draymond has publicly stated that the team intends to stay together, as he told Mercury News:
"“No, there’s no doubt in my mind. None at all. Stick together and make this thing happen and try to win as many championships as we possibly can. So no, there’s no doubt in my mind. It’s very important [to know that we are all committed]. When you’re trying to build a dynasty, if you’ve got to change your pieces every year, it makes it a little tougher. That time will come, but it’s not right now.”"
Until Durant explicitly states that he won’t resign with Golden State in the upcoming future, I will leave him off the list because no other franchise would snag for his services.
Klay Thompson (SG/SF, Golden State Warriors, 2019 UFA)
Klay Thompson may be in a major payday if he were to sign with Los Angeles. Sliding him as the starting shooting guard to suit up with Lonzo, Ingram, and Randle would be a huge addition to a team in need of scoring and defense. Klay has elevated as a top-20 player in the NBA.
Like Kevin Durant, however, I doubt Klay Thompson even considers Los Angeles over Golden State. He told Mark Medina of the Mercury News:
"“Absolutely. Playing for one team your whole career is definitely special. Only so many guys have done it in professional sports, so it’ll be a goal of mine. Hopefully it all works out. It’s so far away. Anything I can do to stay with the Warriors is first and foremost. God willing, it happens. If not, I don’t even think about that.”"
The Rockets traded away James Harden, and now Golden State might be in a similar situation with Klay Thompson. The Lacob trust could fund off what could be a billion dollar problem, but let’s face it. No one would want to spend that type of money… or will they?