Los Angeles Lakers: The Ultimate Guide to the 2018 Offseason
Jabari Parker (PF/SF, Milwaukee Bucks, RFA)
The Duke product had much hype as the new face of the Bucks franchise. Giannis Antetokounmpo was far away from superstardom. Eric Bledsoe didn’t famously tweet that he didn’t want to “be here.” Now removed from two knee surgeries, Parker remains a distant potential piece from the Bucks’ future. They denied to extend him a contract after a recent ACL tear, and now, Parker is contemplating his future.
A natural-born scoring talent, Parker would be ideally best suited as a small-ball four who can space the floor and score in eases. He doesn’t seem as explosive this season, however, and it could be as a result of systematic issues in coaching. Perhaps Kyle Kuzma could knock some sense into him, no?
Nikola Mirotic (PF/SF, New Orleans Pelicans, UFA w/ PO)
Mirotic is a happy man now no longer on a struggling, dysfunctional franchise with a teammate punching his face. Since then, “lights out” has been the appropriate term for any Mirotic performance, who should be a delight if his Pelicans were to face Golden State next.
Playing alongside Anthony Davis, playoff Rajon Rondo, and Jrue Holiday always helps. Let’s face it. Los Angeles needs spacing, and Mirotic is one of the ideal floor spacers you can think of in professional basketball. He’s more versatile than a Ryan Anderson and doesn’t clog up lanes like a traditional power forward.
Aaron Gordon (PF, Orlando Magic, RFA)
Remember when the Magic started 8-4 and were in the playoff race at the beginning of the season? I don’t either! [Sorry, Magic admirers to whoever was reading…] A huge benefactor of the season was Aaron Gordon, seemingly misfit piece in a new Magic regime that, like Jabari Parker and Julius Randle before him, did not get extended to a longer contract.
Gordon’s game is primarily built on athleticism, and it is fun to watch on any given night. What I am more impressed about Gordon, though, is how he improved himself in a multifaceted way. He started shooting 3-pointers on a consistent basis at 6 a game while shooting more efficiently in half-court sets. While Gordon might not be the greatest in basketball talent-wise, any team, including Los Angeles, would love to buy in for his services as an energy player off the bench.
Avery Bradley (SG, Los Angeles Clippers, UFA)
Avery Bradley remains sidelined and has been so for a good chunk of his Clippers tenure. Stan Van Gundy has done a questionable job as the personnel manager of the Detroit Pistons, sending away him, Tobias Harris, a lottery pick, and Boban Marjanovic for Blake Griffin [and four years of misery, mediocrity, and money-wasting]. Bradley struggled for most of the year, as he looked out of place in Detroit.
Still being said, his potential and upside are high. He could remain as another bridge wing for Josh Hart, just removed from a year of what seems to be a key rotational piece in the Lakers future. Bradley enters his prime, as he is 27 and looks to improve his 3&D style of basketball.