Los Angeles Lakers: Who’s a free agent this summer?

The Los Angeles Lakers have already made a variety of changes to the organization during the offseason. With free agency on the horizon, the roster is about to see some changes as well.

The time Los Angeles Lakers fans have been waiting for is almost upon us. Free agency is less than a month away with negotiations starting June 30 at 6 pm E.T. Contracts can’t be signed until July 6, giving teams and players time to consider the deals on the table.

The Lakers only have one draft pick this year, at number four overall, so free agency will be crucial. While this period will be a great opportunity for Los Angeles to add talent to their roster, it will also lead to some losses as well.

Of the 17 Lakers‘ roster players, 10 of them are free agents at the end of the month. Besides Alex Caruso and Johnathan Williams, who are restricted free agents, the rest of the players are unrestricted free agents.

As the starting shooting guard, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will be a priority to resign or replace. With the Lakers’ in search of bringing in a superstar free agent, Klay Thompson or Jimmy Butler would be the ideal choices to upgrade from Caldwell-Pope.

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Since Josh Hart is staying in purple and gold, it seems more strategic to re-sign Caldwell-Pope and look for a superstar in a different position. However, Caldwell-Pope has been averaging fewer points per game each season since 2015, so finding a balance between Hart and Caldwell-Pope’s contributions will be crucial.

Additional shooting guard free agents include Lance Stephenson and Reggie Bullock. Of the two, Bullock contributed the most to the team and in such a short amount of time. His defense is adaptable and can shift to cover multiple positions.

Furthermore, the Lakers have only seen him on their court for 19 games, after trading Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and a 2nd round pick to the Detroit Pistons for him. He has untapped potential meshing with the remaining Lakers’ core, and will likely have a smaller contract than Stephenson.

Boston Celtics’ Kyrie Irving is no doubt a top free agent on the market, and at point guard, Rajon Rondo will have to be dropped to make the addition. Of course, if Irving or Charlotte Hornets’ Kemba Walker cannot be attained, Rondo is a solid backup worth re-signing. The Lakers, notorious for their ‘young core’, benefit from Rondo’s ability to command the floor as well as utilize his 12 seasons of experience and high basketball IQ.

Mike Muscala in 17 games for the Lakers and maintained a 43.4 percent field goal average, per NBA stats. The power forward won’t be worth clinging to, especially with hopes of acquiring New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis. Muscala is an easy way to get money for a max contract.

The last major deficit from free agency could be at center. JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler are both at the end of their Lakers’ contracts. As the starting and 2nd string centers, the Lakers should focus their free agency search elsewhere.

McGee hasn’t always been worth securing, but since coming to Los Angeles, his stats have improved and he’s embraced his role at center. The best free agent option at center is the Orlando Magic’s Nikola Vucevic, but he comes at a cost. If they can save money at center by re-signing at least McGee, they can continue their focus on top players like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving.

Alex Caruso, Johnathan Williams and Jemerrio Jones are free agents as well. Their contracts are unlikely to create any waves.