3 minimum free agents that can bolster the Los Angeles Lakers defense

By Jason Reed | Apr 21, 2022

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 25: Kris Dunn # 18 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the first half against the Houston Rockets at Moda Center on March 25, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Soobum Im/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Kris Dunn

The league had essentially given up on Malik Monk as anything more than a minimum player early in his NBA career and the Los Angeles Lakers — partly out of necessity — helped him resurrect his young career.

Kris Dunn is in a similar situation as Monk although he has gone further down the rabbit hole. Dunn has not been able to escape the injury bug and the guard who was once one of the most promising defensive guards in the league had to resort to only get 10-day contracts last season.

At his best, Dunn was legitimately one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and could bring the Lakers the same kind of defensive impact that Alex Caruso did. Like Caruso, Dunn was underrated by NBA pundits, as he put up an insane 3.1 DBPM in the 2019-20 season. That would have been third among guards this season.

It is not like Dunn is over the hill and has peaked physically and that is why his value has diminished. He just turned 28 years old and there absolutely is a reality in which his best basketball is still ahead of him.

This would be such a low-risk, high-reward flier for the Lakers to take. They could get a potentially elite defensive guard that not only helps next season, but can become a core piece of the rotation for several years after, as is the plan with Monk.

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