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Lakers free agency: Ranking the best available 3-and-D wings in 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers could be in the market for 3-and-D wings. Who are the best options in free agency and how likely are the Lakers to land one of them?

By Maxwell Ogden

Denver Nuggets v Minnesota Timberwolves - Game Four
Denver Nuggets v Minnesota Timberwolves - Game Four / David Berding/GettyImages
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1. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, UFA

One of the biggest surprises of the early stages of the NBA offseason has been the news surrounding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Caldwell-Pope, who's represented by Rich Paul, declined his player option and will now become an unrestricted free agent.

Caldwell-Pope is all but guaranteed to make more than the Los Angeles Lakers can offer, but it can't hurt to explore a potential reunion.

Caldwell-Pope was a key piece of the puzzle when Anthony Davis, LeBron James and the Lakers won the championship in 2019-20. He's since gone on to win a second ring with the Denver Nuggets, firmly establishing himself as one of the premier 3-and-D players in the NBA.

This past season, the 31-year-old posted averages of 10.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.6 three-point field goals made on .460/.406/.894 shooting.

The market for Caldwell-Pope will be vast, which would be an understandable reason to avoid going all-in on him. If the Lakers are wise, however, they'll at least touch base to see if he's interested in returning to the team for a second tenure.

A sign-and-trade would be necessary, but that could prove worth looking into if it means adding one of the best 3-and-D players in the Association to a roster he's already quite familiar with.

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