Los Angeles Lakers: One ideal free agent target at each position

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Ashley Landis – Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

Serge Ibaka

Serge Ibaka has played power forward most of his career. But last two seasons with the Toronto Raptors he played center and played center in small-ball lineups earlier in his career.

Ibaka started his career with OKC and was an elite defensive player. He is one of the best shot blockers in NBA history. Even as his career has gone on, he can still have a night where he will block four or five shots and have a huge impact.

John Hollinger uses a valuation tool, where he projects the salaries of each free agent. He had Ibaka slated at a little more than $5.5 million. Although that seems low, it isn’t out of the question Ibaka takes less for a good situation.

He has a ring, he has made more than $118 million in his career. So money and a ring isn’t something that is the biggest part of his thinking. Now he is looking for a good situation and he is very into fashion, so Los Angeles could be an option.

He is number 31 all-time in blocks with 1,672. He also is still very athletic and can run in small lineups with the Lakers. As AD doesn’t like to play the center position as much, this would be a good signing for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Ibaka can start, come off the bench and close games. He has a lot of playoff experience and knows what it takes to win.