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3 players LeBron James could be recruiting to Lakers during All-Star Break

By Jason Reed

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 19: LeBron James #6 and Stephen Curry #30 of Team LeBron talk with teammates during the NBA All-Star practice at the Wolstein Center on February 19, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 19: LeBron James #6 and Stephen Curry #30 of Team LeBron talk with teammates during the NBA All-Star practice at the Wolstein Center on February 19, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Khris Middleton

Khris Middleton has a player option in the 2023 summer and at that time, his best chance to maximize his career earnings will be to opt-out and work out a new multi-year deal. If the Lakers are looking after a championship-winning player who knows what it is like to be the sidekick next to a dominant front-court player then they should look no further than Khris Middleton.

While being a multi-time all-star, Middleton does not get the love he deserves for being such a big part of the Bucks’ success as a team. Yes, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the world and Jrue Holiday was the piece that helped push them over the edge but Middleton has been massively important for the Bucks.

Middleton too would be a great fit on the Los Angeles Lakers with an older LeBron and AD. He would be the perfect third scorer to give the Lakers 20 points a night and while his three-point shooting is down this season, he has historically been a reliable shooter from deep.

Middleton is someone who can be a fantastic off-ball shooter while also being someone who can create his own shot and really dominate the outside scoring when LeBron is on the bench, which will happen more in two years. He is not the best defender, but he certainly is not bad.

While Middleton is undoubtedly valuable to the Bucks, the team is tied up to $83.1 million in salary to Giannis and Holiday alone. As a small-market team, the Bucks may not want to tax the luxury tax hit that will undoubtedly come by re-signing Middleton.