Los Angeles Lakers: Constructing a dream Lakers offseason
By Jason Reed
3. Sign Danilo Gallinari with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception
If there is one player in free agency this offseason that I want to see the Los Angeles Lakers sign with the MLE it is Danilo Gallinari. Gallinari is the perfect veteran to put on this team that not only fits the team stylistically but is still a very solid player.
Gallinari has already said that at this point in his career it is more important for him to be on a contending team than it is for him to get a big contract. He was not going to get a massive contract because of his age anyway, so the MLE becomes the perfect price tag for the forward.
Gallinari has been fantastic for the Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder the last two seasons. He has shot a combined 41.8% from beyond the arc over the last two seasons while averaging 19.3 points, 5.7 rebound and 2.3 assists.
He is the perfect stretch four option to come off of the bench and hit big shots for the Lakers. He is not a great defensive player but he is a far better version of what the Lakers want Kyle Kuzma to be.
This is important as well because as you will soon find out, Kyle Kuzma is not going to be on the Los Angeles Lakers after this dream offseason scenario. Not only can the team flip Kuzma, but they can improve at the position by signing Gallinari.