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Los Angeles Lakers: Free-agent targets to complement Russell Westbrook

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts prior to a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on February 27, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. The New Orleans Pelicans won 123-95. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts prior to a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on February 27, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. The New Orleans Pelicans won 123-95. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Nemanja Bjelica

There is definitely a good list of more-talented big men that the Los Angeles Lakers could afford to sign this offseason. The center market is actually really saturated this offseason with a lot of options that the team can bring in with a minimum contract.

That being said, the last thing the Lakers should be doing is trying to replicate what they have done the last few seasons in bringing in two “traditional” centers. Los Angeles only needs one rim-protecting/rebounding big that can be the traditional five and should be looking for someone who could space the floor as well.

That someone is Nemanja Bjelica, who could win his first NBA Championship with the Golden State Warriors. Bjelica is not playing a huge role for the Warriors in the playoffs but he was a solid depth piece in the regular season.

That is exactly what the Lakers could bring in the veteran to do. As already mentioned, Westbrook’s minutes should be slashed next season and Bjelica is someone who the team could sign with the intent of playing 12-15 minutes a game, primarily with Westbrook on the floor.

Bjelica gives the team the size to prevent LA from sacrificing any of it with Westbrook on the court but does not hurt the floor spacing as he can operate as an off-ball shooter behind the three-point line.

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