ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported on Tuesday that the Los Angeles Lakers have discussed Andrew Wiggins (who has a $30.2 million player option for next season) and Tari Eason (a restricted free agent) as two players they could target this summer. They are defenders who can shoot, an area the team currently lacks. McMenamin also mentioned Tobias Harris, Quentin Grimes, and Dean Wade as "other players who fit that profile."
As ESPN's Bobby Marks said, the Lakers will have a projected $51 million in cap space this summer. That number includes Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart's player option salaries, but not Austin Reaves' or LeBron James'. The latter could leave this summer, choosing to end his career elsewhere.
Los Angeles made one minor move at the trade deadline, sending Gabe Vincent and a second-round pick to Atlanta for Luke Kennard. The team continued to prioritize future financial flexibility, allowing them not only to make a potential run at Giannis Antetokounmpo but also to possibly pursue the targets mentioned above. Peyton Watson is also a target, but like Eason, he'll be a restricted free agent.
The Lakers have an advantage as is as a landing spot for free agents because they're the Lakers. Luka Dončić is a big selling point, too. Wiggins and Eason should have an interest in suiting up in purple and gold, as should Harris, Grimes, Wade, and Watson. The question is, of course, who LA will land, and how much one, or a mix of those players, will move the needle.
Lakers already know who they want to target in free agency
Wiggins, who will be 31 in a few days, is a player who has been on LA's radar. He's in the midst of his first full season in Miami after Golden State included him in last year's Jimmy Butler trade. The forward is averaging 15.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game on 47.1/39.5/76.7 shooting splits. He's having one of the best three-point shooting seasons of his career, as his career high is 39.6%.
Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported a couple of months ago that Miami was willing to part with Wiggins before the trade deadline, but the Heat kept hold of him. If he declines his player option, and that doesn't seem likely, as he probably won't be able to make that much on the open market, it would free him up to decide where he ends up next. Miami could trade him to LA after he picks up his option.
Wiggins would give the Lakers an experienced veteran who can shoot and defend, but they could look to go younger. Eason will turn 25 in May, but the Rockets will be able to match any offer sheet that he gets. The same goes for Watson, who is 23.
Harris will turn 34 over the summer, and his three-point shooting production has dipped over the past several seasons, so he shouldn't be at the top of the list. He's shooting 35.4% on four attempts per game this season for the Pistons. Wade, who is 29, is shooting a career-low 34% from deep on 3.5 attempts per game.
Then there is Grimes, who will turn 26 in May. He's shooting 34.1% from three on 5.3 attempts per game for Philly. He's played on his $8.7 million qualifying offer, so he will be due for a payday this summer. The Sixers traded Jared McCain before the deadline, which could've been interpreted as they want to keep Grimes, but he could leave for more money elsewhere.
As a fan, you probably have an idea of who you do and don't prefer out of this list of players. Eason, Watson, and Grimes are the three who could be with the Lakers long term, but as mentioned, only one of those players (Grimes) will be an unrestricted free agent. That doesn't mean LA won't have a shot at the first two, as it could submit an offer sheet that Houston and Denver decline to match. The Nuggets are expensive as is, so Watson, who is from Los Angeles, could come home.
The Lakers will need to find another star to pair alongside Dončić, even if LeBron stays. None of the players here are stars, but Watson has the most potential to turn into a star in LA. There is a reason why his name keeps popping up. He's the kind of player they need. If he is the player they get from this list, that'd be a win.