Los Angeles Lakers: Four free agents to sign with the mid-level exception
By Jason Reed
1. Marc Gasol
Marc Gasol was once traded by the Los Angeles Lakers to the Memphis Grizzlies for his brother, Pau. We all know how that worked out, as Pau was the missing piece for the Lakers to win their two most recent championships, giving Kobe Bryant titles number four and five.
Now, over a decade after that trade, Marc may look to follow in his brother’s footsteps and try and win a title with the Los Angeles Lakers. Gasol would not be as big of an impact player, but he would be a welcomed, seasoned addition who fits the Lakers’ identity.
Right now the Lakers have Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee at center but Howard is a free agent after the season and McGee has a player option. It is likely that McGee returns to the team and the Lakers very well could re-sign Howard, which probably would eliminate the possibility of Gasol.
However, despite Howard playing great this season, Gasol is a better fit stylistically for the Lakers. Perhaps he could be Howard’s replacement, or if McGee opts out of his deal, the Lakers could bring Gasol in alongside Howard.
What makes Gasol a good fit at the center position is his ability to stretch the floor and shoot the three. While he is not a high-output shooter, he is shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc this season.
He has already taken a reduced role in Toronto and has fared really well in it, so the Lakers do not have to worry much about him transitioning from an all-star to a role player.
Gasol can essentially bring the exact same output as Howard or McGee but has that added element of a three-point shot, which is big, as it makes him usable in crunch time.