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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 veteran minimum candidates to help the bench

By Justin Hickey

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball against Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball against Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The Los Angeles Lakers should take advantage of veteran minimum contracts this offseason.

The Los Angeles Lakers won what many call the most difficult championship in league history. The was an array of obstacles that led them to their 17th NBA championship. Those include the death of Kobe Bryant, COVID-19, the calls for social justice almost shutting the league down and the bubble in Orlando.

Many players battled mental health in the bubble, you can’t go anywhere or have outside contact. You’re permitted limited family members and have to abide by strict rules. The Lakers were there three months, longer than any other team not named the Miami Heat.

The playoffs were almost canceled as players stood their ground on social justice. They were fatigued at everything going on. COVID-19 was an outlier that we’ve never seen before.

The Lakers endured it and made the best of the situation. As they were crowned 2020 NBA champions and came home with the Larry O’Brien trophy.

But as the offseason begins there is a lot of moving parts. Rajon Rondo, Markieff Morris, Dwight Howard, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, JaVale McGee, Jared Dudley and Avery Bradley could all depart. The Lakers have the opportunity to get better if/when Anthony Davis resigns after opting out of his deal.

There is also the unknown of Danny Green and Kyle Kuzma, who the Lakers have dangled in trade rumors. Both players were non-factors in the finals run and might be better off somewhere else. So the team could look to trade both and add Kuzma in to get out of Green’s money next season to bring in someone and their Bird Rights to help cap going forward.

With that being said, we take a look at five intriguing veteran minimum options that could help the Lakers. From ball handling options, to shooting options, to defensive options.

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