Los Angeles Lakers: 3 back-up power forwards to pursue in free agency

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 03: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 03, 2022 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 03: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 03, 2022 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

2. Nemanja Bjelica

Nemanja Bjelica is another player that has been mentioned several times here on Lake Show Life not only this offseason but last offseason as well. In fact, we argued hard for the Lakers to sign Bjelica and Otto Porter Jr. and the team decided against it. Instead, those two signed with the Golden State Warriors, who might win this year’s NBA Championship.

Meanwhile, the Lakers brought in two players who were leaving the Warriors in Kent Bazemore and Avery Bradley, both of whom did not play very well last season. While Bjelica and Porter are not the reason the Warriors are up 3-2 in the NBA Finals, it is yet another example of Golden State’s better roster building.

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Bjelica has been shaky at times in recent years and he is getting up there in age but at the end of the day he is exactly the kind of player mold that the Los Angeles Lakers should be looking to bring in. He is a seven-foot frontcourt player who could play either the four or five that can shoot and can play average to above-average defense.

He might not be the most explosive, the most athletic or the most exciting to watch. But from a fundamental skillset standpoint, he would be perfect to put on this Lakers team because of the things he would do for the floor spacing.

Bjelica would be a great option to play at the five with Westbrook and can also play the four with or without Anthony Davis on the court.