Los Angeles Lakers: 2 young free agents to take a chance on and develop

The Los Angeles Lakers are going to have to accomplish several things this offseason. With so many unknowns and not much money to spend, the Lakers are going to be in the tough position of improving the team with limited resources.

Not only do they have to improve the rotation, but they also have to make sure they keep the spending down to a level where they can still fill out the rest of the roster. Filling out a full regular-season roster is important, especially after this last season in which the team could not stay healthy.

Typically, contending teams fill these spots with old veterans who can be a locker room presence. Jared Dudley has been that for the team recently and someone such as Udonis Haslem is the perfect example for the Miami Heat.

But the Lakers have veteran leadership. They have LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Marc Gasol and others. They have their established identity. Instead of just using the roster spot on a locker room guy, what if the Lakers go the other way?

There are two young free agents the Los Angeles Lakers could take a chance on and develop.

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the best teams in the league at developing players. Just look at all the former Lakers, most of which were taken late in the draft, that are legitimate rotation players for other teams.

Look at the Lakers’ team itself. Alex Caruso has developed from an average G League player to one of the best defensive players in the league.

There certainly is no guarantee that these players develop into what Alex Caruso is, but there is at least some upside there for a team that really does not have much young depth. If this works out, the Lakers could have rotation players for the future. If not, then it is just another backend roster spot that would normally be given to a veteran.

These players are cheap and the potential ceiling is more exciting than re-signing Jared Dudley yet again.