Lake Show Life
Fansided

3 Lakers free agent targets who are former All-Stars

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 30: Kevin Love #42 of the Miami Heat reacts to a call in the second half against the New York Knicks during game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2023 in New York City. The Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks 108-101. 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 Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 30: Kevin Love #42 of the Miami Heat reacts to a call in the second half against the New York Knicks during game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2023 in New York City. The Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks 108-101. 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 Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Fred VanVleet Lakers
(Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images) – Fred VanVleet Lakers /

2. Fred VanVleet

Fred VanVleet has a player option this offseason that he is almost certainly going to exercise. The Toronto Raptors have underwhelmed the last two seasons and the former all-star guard is definitely going to look for an increase in pay this offseason.

VanVleet already has a decent-sized salary as he would make $21.5 million if he were to opt back into his deal. However, while he might not be a max guy, VanVleet can certainly get more than that while also securing another 3-4 years of guaranteed payment.

Jalen Brunson’s average annual salary is $26 million and that is likely where the conversation starts for VanVleet. He and his agency is probably aiming for close to $30 million a year.

The Los Angeles Lakers do have the cap space to sign Fred VanVleet depending on the price

There are a lot of moving parts for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason but they do have the ability to free up money to bring VanVleet to LA if they so pleased. If the team decides not to re-sign D’Angelo Russell and declines both Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba’s contract next season then LA will have close to enough for VanVleet.

According to Spotrac, the Lakers can get upwards of $29.8 million in practical cap. If VanVleet’s price is over $30 million then they are out of the running. But as a Klutch client, he very well could take slightly less to join up with LeBron James.

From there, the team would have to utilize its Bird Rights on Austin Reaves, going over the luxury tax yet again. If LA really wanted to spend, it could also utilize its Bird Rights on restricted free agent Rui Hachimura.

With the taxpayer’s MLE, two picks in the 2023 NBA Draft and some minimum contracts, the team could work out a pretty deep rotation with FVV. It would cost a lot of money, but this is the Los Angeles Lakers we are talking about.

Home/Lakers Free Agency