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Los Angeles Lakers: 5 must-sign free agents after Russell Westbrook trade

By Jason Reed

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 03: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards dribbles against the Indiana Pacers during the first half at Capital One Arena on May 03, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 03: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards dribbles against the Indiana Pacers during the first half at Capital One Arena on May 03, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

The Los Angeles Lakers made the biggest move of the NBA offseason by pulling off a blockbuster trade. The Lakers traded Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and the 22nd overall pick (Isaiah Jackson) in the 2021 NBA Draft for Russell Westbrook, a 2024 second-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick.

The Lakers got their third superstar even if it is a weird fit for the team. Westbrook is a ball-dominant playmaking guard that does not seem to mesh well with LeBron James.

However, with LeBron’s basketball IQ and the pure talent of having LeBron, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, the hope is that they can figure it out and make a run at the 2022 NBA Championship.

If the Lakers are going to do that, though, they are going to have to fill out the rest of the roster. The Lakers desperately need shooting around their new big three, among other needs, and are going to have to add that with minimum deals in free agency.

The team’s hands are tied money-wise with Westbrook, Davis and LeBron accounting for around $120 million of the cap alone.

There are five specific free agents that the Los Angeles Lakers should target after the Russell Westbrook trade.

It is also important to note that the Laker cannot utilize the mid-level exception. The MLE would allow the team to go over the cap on a deal that is projected to be worth $9.5 million next season. The problem with that is that it would hard cap the Lakers at the tax apron, which is a number that they are now going to have to go over with Westbrook in town.

Here are the minimum free agents that the Los Angeles Lakers should now turn their attention towards.

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