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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 minimum free agents that should have been signed

By Jason Reed

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 18: JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers battle under the basket during the second half in Game 1 of Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 18, 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 Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 18: JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers battle under the basket during the second half in Game 1 of Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 18, 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 Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Minimum free agents that would have fit nicely on the Los Angeles Lakers: 3. Maurice Harkless

Maurice Harkless signed with the losing side of the 2020 NBA Finals, the Miami Heat. While Harkless is not quite the three and D player that Jae Crowder — who left for the Phoenix Suns — is, he is a solid pickup for the Miami Heat who would have fit nicely on this Los Angeles Lakers roster.

The Lakers succeeded last season because of their defense and they project to be a good defensive game again this season. However, the one area that could be improved is the bench wing defenders.

As it is currently constructed, Kyle Kuzma is the team’s best option to be a wing defender off the bench and we all know that Kuzma is not the best defender. Having one more option to bring off the bench for a defensive outlook would deepen this rotation even more.

I get that he is a great locker room guy but a signing like Harkless would have been so much more impactful than Dudley. Harkless may not be an elite wing defender, but he is an above-average defender, particularly if he was coming off the bench.

Harkless is really hot or cold with his three-point shot but he is someone who can get open off-ball and take 2-3 threes per game off the bench. His defense is his best attribute.

dark. Next. Reasons for and against signing Trevor Ariza

The Los Angeles Lakers are easily the favorites to win the 2021 NBA Title because of the job that Rob Pelinka did. However, in an absolutely perfect world, these three also could have been part of the championship-winning formula.

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