6 Conference Finals players Lakers should pursue from least to most likely

4. Obi Toppin, Indiana Pacers

Obi Toppin has become one of the top reserves on an arguably overachieving Pacers squad. He averaged 21.1 minutes per game during the regular season and has seen a similar 19.2 minutes of playing time per outing this postseason.

Being a restricted free agent makes Toppin a less likely Lakers target than others on this list, but it's worth noting that he could potentially become available.

While Toppin is a restricted free agent, he also carries a cap hold of upwards of $20.4 million. If the Pacers decide that the money would be better spent elsewhere, or simply that Toppin is no longer a fit, he could become an unrestricted free agent.

In that scenario, Toppin could be the type of player who would be willing to take a one-year prove-it deal with a Lakers team that would likely feature him in a more prominent role than the Pacers have.

In addition to being one of the most explosive athletes in the NBA, Toppin has a well-rounded skill set and the production to show for it. The do-it-all forward finished the 2023-24 regular season with averages of 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 three-point field goals made on .573/.403/.770 shooting.

Across his 21.1 minutes per game, that translates to 17.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.1 three-point field goals made per 36.

As a restricted free agent, however, Toppin simply remains one of the least likely players on this list to end up in a Lakers uniform in 2024-25.