5 Free agents the Lakers definitely must sign after 2024 NBA Draft

Mason Plumlee, UFA

The Los Angeles Lakers are in the market for a center who can help Anthony Davis spend more time at the 4. It's a well-documented request via Davis that the entire NBA community is aware of, and Los Angeles appears to be open to honoring it.

Options will be limited in free agency, but Mason Plumlee could be an ideal target who fits right into the Lakers' finite financial flexibility.

Plumlee, 34, is an ideal backup center who can come in and provide value on both ends of the floor. He's one of the best passing bigs in the NBA, offering aid to any team that signs him as a high-post playmaker who can help an offense remain in motion.

Plumlee is also an excellent offensive rebounder, boasting career averages of 2.1 per game and 3.4 per 36 minutes—an appealing fact to a Lakers team that ranked dead last in second-chance points.

Plumlee signed a one-year, $5 million deal for the 2023-24 season, and could thus be available for the veteran's minimum in 2024-25. If so, the Lakers would be bringing in one of the best value adds possible given their financial restrictions.

Plumlee could likely provide 15-to-20 high-value minutes per outing for a Lakers team that could pair him with Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt on the second unit.