The Los Angeles Lakers need to do everything they can to retain Reggie Bullock this summer in free agency.
The Los Angeles Lakers are entering one of the most important offseasons in the history of the franchise. After missing the postseason for six straight years, a franchise long drought, the team has an excellent opportunity to upgrade the roster this summer.
Despite all of the distractions in recent weeks, the Lakers are set up nicely. With LeBron James, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart already in place, they have a nice foundation to build upon. With the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and nearly a max salary slot, Los Angeles could quickly turn things around.
The Lakers will have some tough decisions to make this offseason. If they strike out on max free agents such as Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, Kemba Walker, Klay Thompson and Jimmy Butler, where will they turn? Will they be able to make a trade for Anthony Davis?
Those are all questions that loom over the team. With their strategy in recent seasons, handing out one-year deals to retain future cap space, there has been a lot of roster turnover in recent seasons. That will happen again this summer.
Los Angeles has 10 free agents this summer. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, JaVale McGee, Lance Stephenson, Mike Muscala, Reggie Bullock, Tyson Chandler, Rajon Rondo, Johnathan Williams, Alex Caruso and Jemarrio are all set to hit free agency.
It is unlikely that many of those players return to the team. If Los Angeles accomplishes their goal of landing a max free agent, some of them will be priced out of the Lakers’ range. Some of the players the team shouldn’t pursue given their performance this past season.
However, one player the team should do everything in their power to keep is Bullock.
Bullock was acquired from the Detroit Pistons prior to the NBA Trade Deadline. Los Angeles sent Sviatoslav Mykhailuk and a future second-round pick to the Pistons in exchange for Bullock.
That price alone is enough reason for the Lakers to want to retain Bullock. Trading a 2018 second rounder with rotation player potential in Svi and a future second-round pick would be a tough pill to swallow for only 19 games of Bullock.
In addition to that, Bullock is a perfect fit for the Lakers. He is a career 39.2 percent 3-point shooter. At 6’7″, Bullock is also a versatile defender as he can defend three different positions. That is important in today’s NBA with so many teams playing positionless basketball.
Given the current state of the roster, Bullock’s skill set is much needed. They do not have any reliable shooters currently under contract, which is a necessity in today’s NBA.
Retaining Bullock would go a long way to fixing that issue. His presence on the court would make things easier for everyone.