1. The Los Angeles Lakers will bring in not one, but two external additions
The Los Angeles Lakers missed out on signing Blake Griffin, who I know some fans did not want to join the team, but it is a shame. Griffin is easily the most prominent buyout signing in NBA history and the Lakers could have cashed in on the potential that he still possesses.
Griffin being off the market does not take the Lakers out of the buyout market, though. This is a team that still needs to add help to the roster and Rob Pelinka recognizes that. We broke down the main reasons why the Lakers need help in this article, so don’t be surprised if Pelinka is thinking the same way.
The Lakers won’t just make one addition, though. The team is primed to make multiple and while I will keep the prediction at just two, I would not be totally shocked if the right things fall into place and the Lakers bring in three new faces.
There will likely be one hugely impactful signing and some smaller moves as well, similar to how the team brought in Markieff Morris last year and then followed that up with Dion Waiters and eventually J.R. Smith. This year’s Markieff Morris — who is one of the greatest buyout signings of all-time — should be a center.
In particular, the most likely scenario for the team is Hassan Whiteside. Whiteside is a prime buyout candidate and would give the Lakers that rim-protecting center of the bench that they need. The dream scenario would be Andre Drummond while there are lesser options, such as Robin Lopez.
With the inconsistent play of Wesley Matthews, Markieff Morris and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, I would not be shocked if the Los Angeles Lakers also peruse the market for a three and D wing. The team can simply release Alfonzo McKinnie and sign someone who actually helps in the rotation.