NBA free agency started with a bang with a multitude of deals happening as soon as the clock struck 3 p.m. PDT. While the Los Angeles Lakers did not make any huge additions, they did add to the roster on day one. The team used its Taxpayer MLE on Lonnie Walker IV while also signing Damian Jones, Troy Brown Jr. and Juan Toscano-Anderson.
The Lakers have seemingly learned from last season as the team brought in four players under the age of 30, two of which are under the age of 25. However, the team did lose a different promising young player in Malik Monk, who signed with the Sacramento Kings.
All in all, the Lakers have brought in one center, two small forwards and a shooting guard. There is still a lot of work to do in free agency, as well as a potential looming Kyrie Irving trade.
Here are 5 free agents the Los Angeles Lakers should look to sign after day 1 of free agency:
1. Hassan Whiteside
The Los Angeles Lakers brought in Damian Jones but the team should still be looking to add a traditional rim-protecting and lob-catching big. Everything the Lakers have done over the last four years tells us that they are going to bring in a second center and one of the better options is Hassan Whiteside.
Whiteside became underrated in the NBA since he was so severely overpaid by the Miami Heat but at this point in his career, he is a valuable traditional big that can provide 20 quality minutes in the regular season. He might get played out of the rotation in the playoffs but that depth in the regular season is important.
Whiteside is still far better than both Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan and he offers a much different presence down low than Jones does. If the team is going to go the route of getting a veteran five for depth, Whiteside may be the best option.