Los Angeles Lakers: 3 defensive free agents that help replace Alex Caruso
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers provided their fans with some funny jokes on the first day of free agency as the team brought in three free agents that are all former members of the Lakers. Dwight Howard, Wayne Ellington, Trevor Ariza and Kent Bazemore are the three announced signings that the Lakers have made.
However, it is the player that the Lakers lost that is more upsetting. Standout defensive guard Alex Caruso agreed to a four-year, $37 million contract with the Chicago Bulls.
This is particularly frustrating as the Lakers could have re-signed him. The team had Bird Rights on Caruso to go over the salary cap. Yes, they would have been putting themselves higher above the tax apron, but they are going to be paying the luxury tax, anyway.
If you are truly committed to building a contender, so much so that you trade for a regressing point guard who is making $44 million, you don’t let one of your most important players walk because it will cost $5 million more in tax. It is sad.
The Los Angeles Lakers need to target defensive free agents to help replace Alex Caruso.
The truth is that the Los Angeles Lakers are not going to be able to replace Alex Caruso fully. Caruso was in the top 10 in Defensive Box Plus/Minus last season and was second among guards, only behind All-Defensive Second Team member, Matisse Thybulle.
However, the defense is looking really suspect now, especially with the team also trading Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and adding a not-so-great defender to the backcourt in Russell Westbrook.
Yes, they still have Anthony Davis and Frank Vogel but this is a backcourt that desperately needs a better defensive presence. Here are three available free agents that could help that cause.