Los Angeles Lakers: The 2 free agents that absolutely must be re-signed

By Jason Reed | Jun 7, 2021

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MAY 15: Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to his team during a time out at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 15, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Alex Caruso

Alex Caruso is one of the best defensive guards in the entire NBA and he does not get the credit he deserves. He got memed into oblivion by outlets such as Bleacher Report and ESPN that he ironically became underrated across the league.

Matisse Thybulle was the only guard in the NBA that had a better Defensive Box Plus/Minus than Caruso with as many minutes played. The only one. Caruso’s defense is extremely important to the Los Angeles Lakers and is a huge reason why the Lakers were one of the best defensive teams in the league as well.

Caruso showed better shooting this season and was not a nuisance from beyond the arc in previous years. He still did not take enough threes to be considered a true three and D guard, but the more he works on that aspect of the game the closer he gets to being the best three and D guard in the league.

Caruso has been part of the Lakers’ closing lineup in the last two playoff runs and that alone shows the importance he has on this team. Sure, he is not flashy offensively and does not stuff the box sheets. But he does the things that do not show up in the box score that help win games.

You are not going to find a defensive guard like Caruso and he should not be that expensive of a free agent to retain. The Lakers would be losing a massive defensive presence by losing Caruso.

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