Los Angeles Lakers: 4 restricted free agents team could target in 2018

Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers

The holy grail of restricted free agents. Joel Embiid will undoubtedly get an abundance of interest if the Philadelphia 76ers fail to extend him before the Oct. 16 deadline. If that’s the case, the Lakers better be one of the teams battling for an opportunity to sign him to an offer sheet.

I don’t think I really need to explain this one, but I will. When healthy, Embiid has the look of an elite offensive center who also shines on the defensive end. While the whole health part is a serious concern seeing as he’s only played in 31 games over three seasons, what we have seen has folks around the league buzzing about the former No. 1 overall pick.

Now on the surface, it makes perfect sense for the 76ers to get a deal done with Embiid. He’s a key piece to “The Process,” and his presence seems to make this arduous rebuild worth the pain. However, if his struggles with staying on the floor continue in 2017-18, maybe they opt against dropping big money on an injury-prone center.

If that’s the case, someone is going to be brave enough to roll the dice on Embiid. I wouldn’t be surprised if Magic was the type to see the upside and dish out the money needed to get the former Kansas sensation under contract.

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Teaming a healthy Embiid with the likes of LeBron/Paul George, Ball and the Lakers’ other young prospects would make this club a contender overnight. It’ll cost a pretty penny to do so, but that’s what it sometimes takes to put together a championship roster.