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Los Angeles Lakers: Best and worst free agency outcomes

By Addam Goldman

(Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

The Best Outcome:

The best outcome for the Lakers this offseason would be to sign Kawhi Leonard; the 2019 finals MVP and the best player in basketball.

Kawhi Leonard has consistently said that when it comes to choosing the next team he plays for, the two things he cares about most are winning and his health.

If what Kawhi says is true and he desires championships and the well-being of his body above everything else, then the only team he should consider this offseason is the Lakers. LA can supply him with what he cares about most.

With Leonard in tow on the Lakers, LA would have the best “Big 3” ever assembled in the NBA and you could also argue that the Purple and Gold would have three of the top 5 basketball players in the association.

Furthermore, if Kawhi joins the Lakers, Frank Vogel could easily manage his minutes and LeBron’s playing time throughout the year by going a similar rout as Toronto last season. Vogel could rest Leonard 20 games during the year and he could also sit LeBron twenty other contests as well and the Purple and Gold would still likely end up as the number one seed in the West.

One of the best parts about pairing LeBron, Kawhi, and Davis together is that there will be dozens of players willing to take the veteran minimum on a 1-year deal to chase a ring in Hollywood with them.

Here’s a list of players who could try to ride the Lakers train down the track towards a championship:

  • JJ Redick will be 35 next season and he’s never won a championship
  • Dewayne Dedmon will be 30 next season and he’s never sniffed a title
  • Marcus Morris will be 30 next season and he’s never won a title
  • Brook Lopez will turn 32 towards the end of next season and he’s never won a title
  • Ed Davis will be 30 next season and he’s never won a championship

If Kawhi Leonard signs it’s easy to envision this as the Lakers 2019-2020 opening day lineup:

Starters:

  • PG: Rajon Rondo
  • SF: Kawhi Leonard
  • SF: LeBron James
  • PF: Anthony Davis
  • C: Dewayne Dedmon

Bench:

  • Alex Caruso
  • JJ Redick
  • Kyle Kuzma
  • Marcus Morris (under the room exception)
  • JaVale McGee

That roster, if healthy, could sweep the playoffs next season and form the next dynasty in the NBA.

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