The Los Angeles Lakers need to add talent to become serious title contenders. They are fighting to for a spot in the Play-In Tournament and do not want to waste the final years of LeBron James’ career. The GOAT can become a free agent this summer but will stick in LA if the Lakers commit to adding pieces.
The Lakers are always a destination but are only projected to have the taxpayer mid-level exception and minimum contracts to work with. Rob Pelinka and the front office could make trades to open more space, but they have a strong core. The Lakers just need to right pieces surrounding LeBron, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves.
This summer’s free agent class is light on marquee names but features several impactful role players. Expect LA to be aggressive, and here are six players worth trying to convince to come to Hollywood at a discount.
6. Eric Gordon
The 35-year-old was a fantastic signing by the Suns in the summer of 2023. He is averaging 12.0 points, 2.2 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 29.5 minutes per game this season. Gordon is a career 37.1 percent 3-point shooter. He can start or come off the bench and is comfortable playing next to a superstar.
The 6’3 wing has a $3.3 million player option for the 2024-25 season. He is still searching for his first ring and must weigh his role against his chances of competing in any free-agent decision. The Suns expect to be in the hunt, but does he have better odds with the Lakers? Los Angeles may offer more money in hopes of swaying him.
Eric Gordon would give the Los Angeles Lakers some needed scoring, ball-handling, and playmaking punch. He could play next to LeBron and AD or help lead their second unit. Whatever the Lakers need, but the franchise may struggle to convince him to leave Phoenix.
Gordon is not the only impactful veteran free agent this summer. LA may target a big man from a rival to try to round out their roster.