Los Angeles Lakers: 3 minimum free agents to avoid at all costs

By Jason Reed | Jul 9, 2021

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 01: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Torrey Craig #12 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half in Game Five of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 01, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Torrey Craig

Torrey Craig is currently in the spotlight as a member of the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals. In fact, Craig is going to be an NBA Champion (or at least get a ring) no matter what as he was a member of the Milwaukee Bucks this season before coming to Phoenix.

While he obviously wants to win with the Suns so he can actually say that he won it, the fact remains that Craig is going to head into the offseason sizing his ring finger to either get a Suns or Bucks championship ring.

Craig has seemingly increased his value in the NBA Playoffs as well, which is common when a role player gets to play on a title team. Craig has been money from three in the postseason, shooting 45.2% from deep in the limited attempts he has gotten.

That seemingly makes him a candidate to be a three and D wing for any contending team to pick up with a minimum contract. He may have increased his value some, but that value went from potentially not being on a team next year to having suitors.

The Los Angeles Lakers should not bother. While Craig has been fine for the Suns in the limited capacity that he has played his overall track record is not great. His career numbers (33.1%) from three tell a bigger story and there is a reason why he has been on three different teams over the last two years.

Craig just wouldn’t get any playing time as a wing with the way the Los Angeles Lakers are currently constructed and I am not sure he would really add anything to the purple and gold.

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