5 Free Agents For LA Lakers To Target This Summer
The Los Angeles Lakers' playoff run is seemingly set to end in the second round. They have their hands full with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, and unless something changes drastically, they'll be goin' fishing sometime next week.
At that point, they'll be looking at an offseason of some huge questions.
What to do with LeBron James? Will they sign Austin Reaves to a max contract worth over $240 million for the next five years? Will they be able to re-sign Marcus Smart? And where to find at least two, maybe three, legit starters to put on the floor with Reaves and Luka Doncic.
The latter is the question addressed by Grant Hughes in Bleacher Report. He proposed five potential free agents for the Lakers to target once June 30 hits.
Isaiah Hartenstein
The championship-winning center is a key player for the Thunder, and they do hold a team option on him for $28 million for next season. He could still hit free agency, however, as many pundits suggest that OKC may be forced to decline the option to avoid heavy second-apron taxes. The Lakers should be all over this if that turns out to be the case. Deandre Ayton's inconsistency and effort have led to questions about his fit with the team, and even if he picks up his $8M option, LA would do well to insert Hartenstein as their center of record for next season.
Andrew Wiggins
The two-way wing had another fine season in Miami, and he might exercise his player option for $30M for next season, which would take him off the table for the Lakers. Wiggins brings championship experience and a solid all-around performance on the floor. With Rui Hachimura entering free agency, Wiggins would be a decisive improvement at the small forward spot if he does become available.
If either of the above are not attainable (and they'd be expensive, if they are), Hughes suggests three others who would come in at a lower price range, and "the Lakers might even be able to snag three starters in free agency."
- Lu Dort, SF
- Robert Williams III, C
- Quentin Grimes, SG
