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Clippers may have just given the Lakers a great free-agent target

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 03: Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on ahead of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers 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: Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on ahead of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers 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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The Los Angeles Lakers are going to have to be really savvy with who they sign in free agency this offseason. There was a serious lack of depth last year as the Lakers made mostly wrong choices in who they brought in and the team has the same hurdles to overcome this offseason as well.

With Russell Westbrook still on the books, the Lakers are yet again limited to only minimum signings as well as one Taxpayer MLE. That Taxpayer MLE might go to Malik Monk, who said that he would give the team a discount to return. However, it is hard to blame the guy if he gets a deal in the tens of millions that he simply cannot say no to.

If so, the Lakers are going to have to look at other options to bring in with the MLE and the team may have just gotten a new option via the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers reportedly reached a deal with John Wall after he was bought out by the Houston Rockets and the speculation is that the Clippers are using their MLE in order to sign him.

While that is not yet confirmed, if the Clippers did indeed sign Wall with the MLE it opens the door for the Lakers to sign a potential MLE candidate from the Clippers.

Isaiah Hartenstein could now be on the Los Angeles Lakers free agency radar.

Isaiah Hartenstein had a breakout season for the Los Angeles Clippers last season that undoubtedly earned him a new contract in free agency. The 24-year-old center averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in just 17.9 minutes per game.

While his numbers may not be the most eye-popping, those who watched Hartenstein play last season know that he does have some juice to him as a rim-running big. The Lakers definitely have to add a center at some point in free agency and Hartenstein would provide a nice fusion of youth to an older roster.

That would be the main reason to sign Hartenstein to the MLE. The hope would be that the Lakers could then bring him back if he earns it on a multi-year deal the following offseason as it would finally give the team some continuity at the center position.

From a pure cost standpoint, the Lakers could also talk themselves into simply signing a veteran center for the minimum. There are quite a few options on the free-agent market this year and the production next season will be similar. However, there is not the long-term potential that Hartenstein would provide.

Regardless, Hartenstein is too good at a young age to go for the minimum but being a traditional center, he is not going to get a big deal either. A taxpayer MLE is the perfect value for him and the Clippers may have just punted their shot at bringing him back.

If so, the Lakers should at least be giving his agent a call.

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