Los Angeles Lakers: 3 free agents to replace Rajon Rondo if he leaves
By Jason Reed
1. Goran Dragic
The Los Angeles Lakers, like every other team in the NBA, are granted one mid-level exception contract to give out and potentially go over the salary cap with in the offseason. The projected value of the MLE contract this offseason is for four years worth $41.9 million.
If the Los Angeles Lakers could get someone like Goran Dragic with the MLE then it would be a massive win. Dragic is entering the latter stages of his career so an MLE contract might be exactly what his asking price is in free agency.
Dragic does not get the love he deserves for being as good of a point guard as he is and we are seeing it on full display right now in the playoffs. Dragic is a huge component in the Miami Heat team that is up 3-0 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Dragic would be the perfect caliber of player to be the third star on the Lakers. While he is no longer an all-star, he is someone who could give the Lakers 17 points and five assists a night with ease from the point guard position.
Signing someone of Dragic’s caliber also opens the door for the Lakers to do other things as well. This would make it much easier to part ways with Danny Green, potentially using his contract and an asset, like Kyle Kuzma, to acquire better talent.
Then, in theory, the Lakers would be able to start Dragic and Avery Bradley in the backcourt with Alex Caruso as the sixth man and KCP as the second SG/SF option. Not bad whatsoever.