Los Angeles Lakers: What to expect in free agency this summer
What can we expect from the Los Angeles Lakers this summer in free agency?
The Los Angeles Lakers have one of the most critical offseasons in the history of their franchise.
As we know, Magic Johnson stepped down from being the president of basketball operations for LA and Luke Walton was fired after the season ended. Now, the power is in the hands of Rob Pelinka, and of course, Jeanie Buss. What does that mean for the Lakers?
The Lakers were in fourth place on Christmas Day, defeating the Warriors in Golden State. Unfortunately, LeBron James got injured in that game, and it all went downhill from there. The Lakers finished the season 37-45. The case can be made that the LeBron-led Lakers would have made the playoffs if it weren’t for all the injuries.
The 2019 free agency has a lot of talent. Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, and the list goes on. The question is, can the Lakers sign any of these star free agents?
Kawhi Leonard has already said he does not want to play with LeBron James, one of the reasons being; he wants his own team. If he joins the Lakers, the spotlight won’t exclusively be on him; it will be on LeBron James mainly, and Kawhi.
But, if he does shockingly agree to sign with the Lakers, he will be able to guard the oppositions best player. A trio of Kawhi Leonard, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball will be scary for oppositions, because of their length, and defensive ability.
Kawhi averaged 26.6 points on 49.6% shooting and seven rebounds per game during the regular season. During the playoffs, Kawhi is averaging 31.2 points, on 57.4% shooting, 8.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
Kawhi does want to play in LA, but he could sign with the Clippers, or re-sign with the Raptors, that remains to be seen. If Kawhi joins the Lakers, they will be automatic finals contenders.
If Kevin Durant joins the Lakers, they will have two of the top-3 players in the league on the same team. Durant has said it’s “toxic” playing with LeBron. This is another unlikely signing for the Lakers, but, if Durant joins LeBron James in LA, that will be a nightmare for the opposition.
Durant averaged 26 points, on 52.1% shooting, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game during the regular season. During the playoffs, Durant is averaging 35.4 points, on 51.8% shooting, 5.2 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game.
Teaming up one of the greatest scorers of all-time in Kevin Durant, with one of the greatest all-around players of all-time in LeBron James, would make for an unstoppable duo. Imagine LeBron setting Durant up for open 3-pointers? The Lakers will be able to dominate most games, and no team will be able to stop a duo of LeBron James and Kevin Durant in the playoffs.
Kyrie Irving joining the Lakers did not seem like a possibility last season, at all, mainly because of the signing of LeBron James, who Kyrie had just left in Cleveland. But, now that the Celtics are on the verge of being eliminated in the second round by the Milwaukee Bucks, Kyrie seems disconnected from the team, and he will probably not want to re-sign with the Celtics.
This season, Kyrie averaged 23.8 points on 48.7% shooting, 5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game. During the playoffs, Kyrie is averaging, 22.1 points on 39.9% shooting, 4.9 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. The addition of Tyronn Lue as head coach may be a positive for the Lakers, in this perspective.
LeBron and Kyrie won the championship against a 73-win Warriors team in 2016, coming back down from a 3-1 series deficit, and Ty Lue as the coach. Whatever you may think of Lue, if Kyrie left Cleveland on good terms with him, Kyrie may very well end up in LA.
Lonzo will likely be moved to the shooting guard position, and play a lot of combo guard, or come off the bench if Kyrie signs with LA. But, that will ensure the Lakers at least a playoff appearance, after not making it for the past six years.
Klay Thompson is another ideal player that LeBron would love to have, and LA fans would not mind either. Thompson is one of the best two-way players in the league, so not only is he a great shooter, which is a must around LeBron, but he is also a great defender.
This season, Klay averaged 21.5 points, on 46.7% shooting, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. During the playoffs, Klay is averaging, 16.5 points, on 43.2% shooting, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
Klay does not seem happy in Golden State as of late, maybe Kevin Durant’s departure will change his state of mind, but, until then, it’s a possibility that Klay Thompson is in a Lakers jersey come next season. He will likely have three choices, similar to Kawhi Leonard. Either he signs with the Lakers, Clippers, or re-signs with the Warriors.
As for Tobias Harris, Kemba Walker, and Jimmy Butler, they all have one thing in common. They can score the basketball. If the Lakers sign Harris, they will get a power forward who could spread the floor, which is ideal for LeBron. If they sign Jimmy Butler or Kemba Walker, LeBron will have a go-to guy in crunch time. All three of those players will have a positive impact on the Lakers.
But what happens if the Lakers can’t sign any of those players? Plan B should be to sign Nikola Vucevic, Julius Randle, or Khris Middleton.
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The Lakers should look to sign Nikola Vucevic because he is a good center. After having centers like Roy Hibbert and Timofey Mozgov, Laker fans would be appreciative of having a talented big man in Vucevic. He won’t make as big of an impact as the other players I mentioned, but he will give the Lakers that push they need to make the playoffs.
Who wouldn’t love to have Julius Randle back in the purple and gold? Randle is another option for the Lakers, and if the Lakers can somehow bring Randle back, he can be the starting center or power forward, depending on who else they sign.
The Lakers coaching staff wanted to re-sign Randle and Brook Lopez, but Magic Johnson ignored that request. Randle averaged 21.4 points, on 52.4% shooting, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game this season. Randle would be the perfect signing for the Lakers but the Pelicans are looking to re-sign Randle, and the Brooklyn Nets may be in on him too, so the Lakers may need to act fast to sign Randle.
Khris Middleton can play as a shooting guard and small forward, which will be beneficial for the Lakers as they will have a solidified shooting guard, pushing Brandon Ingram back to the small forward spot and LeBron James at the power forward spot.
Middleton averaged 18.3 points, on 44.1% shooting, six rebounds, 4.3 assists, and one steal per game. During the playoffs, Middleton is averaging 19.1 points, on 43.4% shooting, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Middleton is an excellent all-around shooting guard option, for LA.
Plan C, sign Patrick Beverley.
If all else fails, sign Patrick Beverley. I’m sure the Lakers will be able to sign one of the players I have listed thus far, but Patrick Beverley would be the ideal player for the Lakers. Beverley is the definition of heart over height, being the heart and soul of the Rockets and Clippers for the past couple of years.
Beverley doesn’t put up big numbers, but he doesn’t need to to impact the game. He is also the definition of first team all-defense. Imagine a backcourt of Lonzo Ball and Patrick Beverley. Two lockdown defenders; one savvy vet that can get into superstar players heads and one young player that can develop into an elite defender under Patrick Beverley’s wing.
Lastly, the Lakers should re-sign JaVale McGee and Reggie Bullock, only if the price is right, and if they agree to come off the bench.
JaVale had a good season, with the regular ups and downs, averaging 12 points, on 62.4% shooting, 7.5 rebounds, and two blocks per game. He will be a great option off the bench. As for Bullock, he is a good 3-point shooter and an average defender. The Lakers need all the help they can get defensively and shooting the three ball, so Bullock is an ideal option off the bench.
dark. Next. Realistic Bench Options For Lakers In Free Agency
It should be interesting to see if the Lakers go for the superstar players, or sign two to three above average players, such as Nikola Vucevic and Julius Randle, and then sign Patrick Beverley. Laker fans have a lot to look forward to in the offseason.