Los Angeles Lakers: 4 back-up point guards to pursue in free agency

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 11: Ricky Rubio #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays against the Sacramento Kings during the second half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 11, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Kings 117-103. 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 Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 11: Ricky Rubio #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers plays against the Sacramento Kings during the second half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 11, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Kings 117-103. 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 Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

1. Goran Dragic

Goran Dragic is the definition of a league-minimum free agent in the 2022 offseason. A relatively big name for basketball fans, Dragic has put together a great career in the league and has reached the point with his age and his athleticism that he is only going to be able to net the veteran minimum.

Dragic also fits the billing of never having won a championship. He missed LeBron James on the Miami Heat and fell short in the 2020 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. He is going to be signing with a team that gives him a chance to win a title. And while the Lakers are a mess, they still have LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Dragic still had a somewhat big role in 16 games off the bench for the Brooklyn Nets last season as he averaged 25.5 minutes per game. His playing time went down a bit to 19.8 minutes per game, but he still had a somewhat prominent role.

At this point in his career, Dragic probably shouldn’t be getting that many minutes and if he is then there is an issue. There absolutely was an issue with Brooklyn as well, as like the Lakers, their depth held them back.

If Dragic were to come to the Lakers then he should probably average around 18-20 minutes per game in the regular season and then see that role shrink to around 12 minutes per game in the NBA Playoffs — if the Lakers even make it there.