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Los Angeles Lakers: Constructing the dream offseason

By Jason Reed

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 18: Head coach Frank Vogel and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk on the court during a timeout due to a goal being knocked out of position during action against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first 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: Head coach Frank Vogel and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk on the court during a timeout due to a goal being knocked out of position during action against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first 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 Alex Menendez/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Players who will leave the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency:

Before we get into any of the moves that the Los Angeles Lakers will make to improve, we have to look at the pieces the team is going to lose. This helps us gauge where the team needs to add as well as how much money they are going to spend.

The projected cap number for next season is $112 million with a luxury tax cap of $136.6 million. While this could slightly change, we will be using these numbers when dissecting what is possible for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason.

The following players will likely leave the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency:

Montrezl Harrell:

Montrezl Harrell has a player option for next season but with the way his Lakers’ tenure ended, chances are he is going to leave the Lakers. While his value may not have increased a ton, he could definitely get a slightly better salary from another team with a bigger role to increase his value even more. This frees up $9.72 million in space.

Andre Drummond:

Andre Drummond just never fully gelled with the Los Angeles Lakers and there is going to be some team willing to pay him close to what Tristan Thompson got from the Boston Celtics last offseason and it just is not worth it to pay Drummond $7.5-10 million per season.

While the Lakers would not be freeing up much money, as he was a buyout signing, it makes financial sense to let him walk at that price point.

Markieff Morris:

Markieff Morris took a minimum deal to stay with the Lakers last season and play a minimal role. That was a favor for the Lakers and he should get more, even if it is not much. Morris makes the career decision to go somewhere where he can increase his value and play more.

Wesley Matthews:

Wesley Matthews was not great last season. He shot the three-point ball poorly and he played serviceable but replaceable defense. While it would not hurt to bring him back at backend depth, he should walk.

Alfonzo McKinnie: 

For money purposes, the Los Angeles Lakers have to release Alfonzo McKinnie as his contract is non-guaranteed. The final page of this article is going to break down all of the finances, and then you will see why.

Jared Dudley

Jared Dudley has been a solid locker-room presence but they do not need him. Simple as that.

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