Los Angeles Lakers: 3 players to scout for free agency in Orlando
By Jason Reed
The NBA’s resumption in Orlando presents a unique scouting opportunity for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers‘ number once focus is getting to Disney World in Orlando, Florida safely and competing to win championship number 17. The season resuming gives the team a chance to finish what they started and not end the season feeling like there was unfinished business.
However, once the Lakers are there, there might be more of a focus than just the games themselves. With a very reduced offseason and the four-month layoff playing a pretty big factor, this situation in Orlando presents the team’s best opportunity to scout for the upcoming offseason.
Whether it is via a mid-level exception, a veteran minimum contract, or with cap space if Anthony Davis simply opts into his player option (something that seems to be a realistic possibility), there are certain players that could fit the Lakers’ scheme that are worth scouting in Orlando.
Los Angeles Lakers scouting target: PG Goran Dragic
Goran Dragic is going to be an unrestricted free agent after the season concludes and at 34 years old, he is no longer going to warrant the contract that he once did. With the Heat’s depth in the backcourt and Bam Adebayo being a restricted free agent after the 2020-21 season, chances are we will see Dragic walk away from the Heat.
The Los Angeles Lakers would be a great place to come to as the team would present an opportunity for him to win a championship. For the Lakers, Dragic would be a huge upgrade at the point guard position.
Dragic is averaging 16.1 points, 5.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. He is someone who is more than capable of being a secondary ball-handler and facilitator behind LeBron James but does not necessarily need the basketball to be successful.
Dragic is shooting 37.7 percent from beyond the arc in 5.8 attempts per game. He does not even need to start for the Lakers, as he could be a great sixth man, but he absolutely is a candidate to be a mid-level exception signing this offseason.