Los Angeles Lakers: 5 free agents to sign on a veteran’s minimum deal

MIAMI, FL - MAY 29: Andre Iguodala #28 of the Miami Heat celebrates after hitting a three point shot against the Milwaukee Bucks Game Four of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at American Airlines Arena on May 29, 2021 in Miami, 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 Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - MAY 29: Andre Iguodala #28 of the Miami Heat celebrates after hitting a three point shot against the Milwaukee Bucks Game Four of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at American Airlines Arena on May 29, 2021 in Miami, 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 Eric Espada/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

3. Trevor Ariza

Trevor Ariza is exactly the kind of veteran role player that every single contending team in the NBA is going to want to bring in this offseason. That is not going to increase his value much, simply because of his age and his limited skillset at this point in his career, but it will give him plenty of teams to choose from.

Hopefully, he will choose one of his former teams in the Los Angeles Lakers, where he previously won the NBA title as a young role player alongside Kobe Bryant.

At this point in his career, Ariza is nothing more than a veteran three and D wing player. His defense is no longer great but it definitely is serviceable, especially when he utilizes his size and length.

He is also a decent three-point shooter. He was not great last season as he shot just 35% from beyond the arc in a limited sample size but the year before that he shot 40% in a much larger sample size.

Ariza can essentially offer what Wesley Matthews offered this team but better. I find it really hard-pressed to expect him to shoot worse than Matthews did this season and he can provide as good, if not slightly better because of his size, defense.

If the Los Angeles Lakers had to choose between Trevor Ariza and Wesley Matthews they should absolutely choose Ariza.