Revised Lakers’ roster prediction: LA finally trades for rumored target

Predicted Lakers reserves:

PG | George Hill | 23-24 Salary: $2.9 million (VET MINIMUM) | Opening Night Age: 37

Q: Are we sure he is the best option to fill the third-string point guard vacancy?

A: Filling out the rest of the roster should be pretty simple at this point as this is where the front office is only left with Veteran Minimum contracts to work with. So, are there any veterans that might be interested in joining the Los Angeles Lakers, arguably the most storied franchise in the history of sports, to play with LeBron James, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time?

Duh.

With these final contracts, the front office should be looking for guys that can be relied upon on the court for their performance while also being looked upon off the court for their wisdom. George Hill is the perfect embodiment of this criteria, and should still have a little something left in the tank for one more championship chase. Were anything ever to happen to any of Russell, Reaves, Schroder, and/or LeBron, the coaching staff could rest assured in knowing that Hill can be looked to during these times.

SG | Justin Holiday | 23-24 Salary: $2.9 million (VET MINIMUM) | Opening Night Age: 34

Q: Can he fill the same role that Troy Brown Jr did this past season?

A: Similar to Buddy Hield, it seems like Justin Holiday has been a target of the Lakers for years. Also similar to Hield, nothing has ever transpired as far as pens and papers go between he and LA. Even more similar to Buddy, that sentiment changes now.

At 6’6″ with a lengthy frame, Holiday could slot right into the TBJ role next season, providing the team with a steady but not spectacular option on the wing. He can spell some of the other wing defenders’ minutes harassing some of the top perimeter threats in the league and get hot from outside at any time. Having him as your 11th/12th man is never a bad idea.

PF | Jeff Green | 23-24 Salary: $2.9 million (VET MINIMUM) | Opening Night Age: 37

Q: Is LA signing him for his ability to contribute or simply to appease The King?

A: Uncle Green has had a nice career, and at 37 his window is just barely cracked open to allow the breeze of retirement to attract his attention. Known as one of LeBron’s best buddies in the business, bringing him to Los Angeles would certainly put a smile on Bron’s face. However, this is not just about making LeBron happy.

Jeff Green may not be the athlete that he once was, but he is still a certified hooper. He can give a coach minutes across all 3 frontcourt spots, go get a bucket in the post, run the floor, and hit outside shots at a semi-sporadic rate. There is no guarantee that he would be in the rotation, but having the trust of LeBron is something that pays dividends. Unc would always be ready if needed.

C | Bismack Biyombo | 23-24 Salary: $2.9 million (VET MINIMUM) | Opening Night Age: 31

Q: Why him?

A: Green and Biyombo were a part of this projection last time around, and there should be no reason to punt on that opinion now. Signing Biyombo gives the team a quality, break-in-case-of-emergency option at the Center spot off the pine. Given the injury history of Anthony Davis, that is something that could prove invaluable in the future.

Biyombo does not offer much on offense aside from dunks off dump-offs and energy on the boards, but the other side of the court is where his impact is felt. He plays with a constant flow of energy and never takes a play off, the type of nothing-to-lose guy that every team should have buried on their bench.

*15th spot vacant for personnel flexibility purposes*