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Los Angeles Lakers: Top 10 Free Agency Options

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) posts up against Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) posts up against Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the first quarter in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) drives in against Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson (34) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) drives in against Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson (34) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Al Jefferson, Player Option

Position: Center

Age: 30

Experience: 11th Season

Slash Line: .481/.400/.655

Season Averages: 30.6 MPG, 16.6 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.3 BPG, 0.7 SPG

Charlotte Hornets star Al Jefferson has a player option for the 2015-16 NBA season. It’s very possible that he’ll enter free agency as a 30-year-old big man in search of job security and significant money.

If he does, the Lakers should not hesitate to bring him in.

Jefferson has the same defensive concerns as Greg Monroe, but he’s a far more dominant offensive player—and that’s mentality, not ability. He’s been a 20-and-10 threat for the better part of his career and has postseason experience in both the Eastern and Western Conference.

It’s unlikely that the Lakers forgot about this happening on their home court:

Los Angeles needs a dominant post presence, and Jefferson is the best post scorer in the NBA. That’s not opinion, but statistical fact without much wiggle room.

Per NBA.com, Jefferson led the league with 611 points from the post in 2014-15. The next-leading player: LaMarcus Aldridge with 596 Points.

That’s especially impressive when one considers the fact that Jefferson only played in 65 games—the first time he’s missed more than nine since 2008-09. His 9.4 points from the post per game were a full 1.0 higher than Aldridge’s mark.

If Los Angeles is to return to glory, it needs a player like Jefferson to dominate the offensive interior.

Next: No. 1 Power Forward?

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