NBA Free Agency: 5 Teams To Watch
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are always a contender when it comes to free agency. That is not only because of the history that surrounds the franchise, but because of all the perks that come with living in Hollywood and playing at the Staples Center in front of celebrities night in and night out.
Last summer though, showed us that players aren’t going to be blinded by the spotlights that come with big market teams.
Greg Monroe chose the Milwaukee Bucks over the New York Knicks while LaMarcus Aldridge wasn’t impressed with the Lakers’ meeting and chose San Antonio as his final destination. This year, however, the Lakers will have $66 million in cap space to play with.
With money, arguably one of the most exciting young lineups in basketball and new head coach Luke Walton, players may be swayed to take the Lakers more seriously this summer.
Drafting Brandon Ingram with the No. 2 overall pick to insert next to D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle can be quite attractive to players such as Al Horford and Hassan Whiteside.
Horford is expected to receive somewhere around max money, while Whiteside is guaranteed a max contract and will have multiple teams pursuing him heavily.
Landing Whiteside would give the Lakers the center they’ve been looking for since Shaquille O’Neal left. This isn’t saying that Whiteside will put up O’Neal type numbers, but his presence in the paint defensively would do wonders for this young team.
Horford would also be a great signing if they fail to get Whiteside. The four-time NBA All-Star would provide veteran leadership and a locker room presence that will be mandatory with such a young roster.
Don’t be surprised if the Lakers also reach out to shooting guard Nicolas Batum, who is also expected to sign in max territory. Bolstering the bench rotation will be key, especially considering they only have six players under contract heading into July 1.
The Lakers haven’t been able to come through in free agency for the past couple of summers, but with the young and promising group they have now, it’ll come to no surprise if they manage to land a few big-named players.
Next: Dallas