Los Angeles Lakers: Four free agents to sign with the mid-level exception

(Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

4. Aron Baynes

Speaking of Alex Caruso and fan favorites, the Los Angeles Lakers could add another big NBA fan favorite this offseason via the likes of Aron Baynes. Baynes is more than just a fan favorite, however, as he is someone who could be a difference-maker on the Lakers.

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The reason he is the fourth and final player listed, though, is that the Lakers would have to have the same situation that we outlined in with Marc Gasol. Either Howard or McGee would have to be leaving Los Angeles, setting up a need at center for Baynes to potentially fill.

I personally would rather have Gasol over Baynes as an MLE signing at center, but Baynes is not a bad option whatsoever.

While Baynes has a lower three-point percentage than Gasol, 35.1 percent, he has blossomed this season into being more of a shooter than he ever has been in his career. Baynes is attempting four threes per game after averaging 0.1 threes per game in his first five seasons.

Overall, Baynes is enjoying a bit of a breakout year for the Phoenix Suns. He is averaging 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in 22.2 minutes played per game, which would be right around what he would be playing if he joined the Lakers.

Baynes is right in that sweet spot in terms of age for the MLE, as he turns 34 in December. However, the one thing that potentially could hold the Lakers back is that this is a one-year surge for Baynes. The team might not be willing to sign him to 3-4 years, whereas teams that are more desperate for talent might.

However, if they could get Baynes on a 1-2 year MLE deal then that would be great. There are better options out there, but Baynes is not a bad option in the slightest.