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Lakers free agency: Fred VanVleet and 4 other Klutch clients LA could sign

By Jason Reed

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 24: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on March 24, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 24: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on March 24, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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Draymond Green Lakers
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) – Draymond Green Lakers /

4. Draymond Green

It seems increasingly likely that Draymond Green is going to find a new home this offseason. It would either take Green taking a massive pay cut or the Warriors being willing to take the massive penalties of going way over the luxury tax for him to return.

In the past, owner Joe Lacob has shown no hesitancy to foot the large luxury tax bill to keep the Warriors relevant. However, the new NBA’s new CBA introduced steeper penalties for teams that reach a certain threshold above the luxury tax. Those penalties directly impact team building, not just the franchise’s bottom line.

For that reason, the Warriors may simply need to bite the bullet and let Green walk. Green has a player option this offseason and this is the last time he will be able to get paid, so it would be shocking to see him simply return.

Draymond Green isn’t the best fit for the Lakers but is still a possibility

Basketball-wise, Green may not be the best fit because of his inability to space the floor and the moves that would have to be made to bring him in. However, at least in this situation, the Lakers could theoretically replace Malik Beasley and Mo Bamba’s salaries with Green and still attempt to bring back D’Angelo Russell and others.

That, mixed with the fact that Green seems legitimately close with LeBron James via Klutch, makes it a possibility that he could take his talents from Northern California to Southern California.

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