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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 low-risk, high-reward free agents to sign

By Jonathan Kiernan

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball against Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball against Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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P.J. Tucker

P.J. Tucker is the type of player that every single team needs. He isn’t the flashiest, he isn’t the most athletic, and since high school or college, he probably hasn’t been the best player on a team, but what he does bring is grit, determination, and toughness that in today’s day and age is hard to match, so much so he is willing to fight a friend and Texas alum, Kevin Durant in order to give his team an advantage and a spark in a heated series.

Montrezl Harrell to a certain extent brought some of that to the Lakers last season, however, it was Trez’s inability to function outside of the paint and porous defense that led to him being a poor fit for the purple and gold.

Tucker offers a lot of what Harrell does but he also can be a devasting 3-point scorer from the corner and at times, can be a remarkable if not elite one on one defender.

The Lakers very much need what P.J. Tucker has.

The thought of P.J. Tucker and Anthony Davis in the same line-up on defense should give teams nightmares.

You will have two big men who can shoot, defend you one on one and who are very comfortable following you into the paint or out to the 3-point line.

Tucker also gives the Lakers the option to have a small ball lineup in the way in which they intended when they signed Harrell. It allows for line-up versatility that they have not really had during the LeBron James era.

If the Lakers can promise Tucker an abundance of playing time and a significant role in a playoff push, then they should be in with a chance to landing him.

The Lakers biggest needs this off-season are:

  • 3-point shooting
  • Additional scorers to help AD and LeBron
  • Floor spacing forwards to give AD and LeBron more space to punish teams
  • Secondary Playmaking

All three players help with 3-point shooting.

Carmelo Anthony and Lou Williams are ideal additional scorers to help LeBron and AD in crunch time.

Tucker and Melo demand enough respect beyond the arc to allow for teams to pay attention to them and not just double LeBron or Anthony Davis.

The Lakers could maybe trade Kuzma, KCP, and this year’s 1st round pick for a playmaker who would allow for the Lakers to add a 3rd scorer and potentially a secondary playmaker.

Or Maybe a Schröder for Lonzo Ball S&T could be on the card.

Next. 10 most disappointing seasons in Lakers history. dark

With P.J. Tucker, Carmelo Anthony, and Lou Williams on the team, the Los Angeles Lakers would firmly be in a better position to succeed than they were last season. They fit immediate needs and they do so without costing a significant amount of money.

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