3 Lakers free agents who should get signed before 2022-23 season

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play with referee Brian Forte #45 during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 25, 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play with referee Brian Forte #45 during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 25, 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)

2. Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard already has another career path lined up if he doesn’t find a team this offseason and is essentially forced into retirement. While Howard is undoubtedly getting up there in age, the future first-ballot Hall of Famer still has value in this league that some team should be exploring.

The fact that DeAndre Jordan got signed before Howard is insane. We all saw Jordan in Los Angeles last season and while Howard was by no means an elite center, he was a far better option out there on the court than Jordan was.

But hey, let the Denver Nuggets convince themselves that Jordan can add something. His role on the team is pretty small anyway as he is backing up Nikola Jokic but the team still could have gotten much more out of Howard.

Any team that needs a traditional five would be better if they brought Howard in and a team that is making a run for the title might prefer someone with experience like Howard over someone without much winning experience like Hassan Whiteside.

A team like the Boston Celtics could use a big body like Howard, especially if they make a three-for-one trade for Kevin Durant. With Robert Williams’ injury concerns, just having that extra option is key.