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Los Angeles Lakers: Upgrading At Small Forward

By Jackson Sanders

March 16, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Wesley Johnson (11) during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 16, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Wesley Johnson (11) during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) reacts after hitting a three point shot during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated Boston Celtics 103-98. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) reacts after hitting a three point shot during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated Boston Celtics 103-98. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

 Give Tobias Harris A Max Deal

The Lakers are going to be linked to several high-profile free agents in the summer of 2015. LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Jordan, and Goran Dragic are a few examples of guys that the team will likely extend max-contract offers to.

Those are all home run swings. At the end of the day, the Lakers would have a successful offseason by signing an impact free agent — splash move or not.

Signing Tobias Harris to a max deal isn’t going to have the same off-the-court effect that stealing LaMarcus Aldridge from Portland would have. But adding the versatile forward at the max could have a big enough impact that fans should be excited about idea.

Harris averaged 17.1 points on 46.6 percent shooting for the Orlando Magic last season. He also added 1.3 three-pointers per game on the strength of 36.4 percent shooting from beyond-the-arc. Aside from Kobe Bryant, Harris would instantly become the Lakers’ most accomplished offensive player — and he’ll turn only 23 in July.

Imagining a core of Jordan Clarkson, Harris, Julius Randle, and whoever the Lakers are able to select second overall, instantly gives hope that the team could find itself back in the playoffs sooner rather than later.

Harris would cost the Lakers around $15.8 million on the first year of his deal, going off of the projected max-deal numbers posted on Basketball Insiders. That type of contract would still leave the Lakers with cap room, assuming they end up with the maximum amount available by renouncing their free agents.

Not only would signing Harris give the Lakers a bit more financial flexibility in the short-term, but locking him up to a max deal now could end up looking like a bargain down the road as the cap continues to rise.

The only thing standing in the Lakers’ way? Tobias Harris is a restricted free agent. The Orlando Magic could match any offer he receives — and their GM has given indication that they will do exactly that.

Landing him may be easier said than done, but Tobias Harris represents the best realistic upgrade at small forward in free agency for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Statistical support provided by Sports-Reference and Basketball-Reference, unless otherwise noted.

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