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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 free agents to pursue if Marc Gasol doesn’t return

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Marc Gasol #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball in the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on February 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Marc Gasol #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball in the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on February 08, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

LaMarcus Aldridge

LaMarcus Aldridge was forced to retire last season due to health issues in what was one of the saddest stories in the NBA. It appears as that sad story may have a happy turn, though, as Aldridge is weighing an NBA return after further medical evaluation.

Aldridge is someone who I personally wanted to see the Lakers sign before the Marc Gasol news broke. I have been advocating for more power forward depth all offseason and Aldridge would have provided that.

However, he would provide much more if Gasol is out of the picture and that gives the Los Angeles Lakers even more of a reason to sign him.

Aldridge can play both the four and the five and is a pretty good center option in the modern NBA. He is not an elite rebounder or rim protector but he can provide better floor spacing and play good enough defense as long as he isn’t matched up against someone like Joel Embiid.

He would actually offer a lot of the same things that Gasol is offering. He is not as good of a passer but he would likely be more impactful offensively. He defense is not quite as good as Gasol’s, but it is good enough.

A frontcourt that has Aldridge and Davis next to each other is not bad whatsoever and could legitimately be a pairing that they close games with next season.

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