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5 Dream Targets For Los Angeles Lakers In 2017 NBA Free Agency

By Gil Alcaraz IV

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Blake Griffin Los Angeles Clippers
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Blake Griffin, PF, Los Angeles Clippers

If the Lakers can’t steal Paul away from their crosstown rivals, why not go for someone else?

In all honestly, I think the addition of Blake Griffin would be better for the Lakers’ long-term outlook. Although he’s also battled his fair share of recent injuries, he fills a bigger need and appears to have more tread left on his tires.

Griffin is a dominant power forward with outstanding offense and the ability to clean the glass with the best of them. When he’s healthy, he’s easily among the top big men in the NBA.

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    • Even with Julius Randle on the roster, bringing aboard Griffin would immediately upgrade this Lakers lineup.

    Again, like Paul, Griffin has a player option for 2017-18 which he’ll likely decline for financial reasons. However, there’s also been speculation he could choose to test his value on the open market.

    With several teams out there in desperate need of help at power forward, Griffin would be a hot commodity.

    Griffin was already considered a potential trade chip leading up to the deadline. The Boston Celtics reportedly made a push (via ESPN’s Zach Lowe), but couldn’t make a trade happen. Once he hits free agency, you better believe there will be several teams doing everything they can to woo him.

    Expect the Lakers to be one of the frontrunners for his services.

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