Los Angeles Lakers: 5 dream targets during 2018 NBA free agency

4. Jabari Parker, PF, Milwaukee Bucks

I know what you’re thinking — why would the Lakers want a player whose knees are made of glass? Jabari Parker has torn his ACL twice since entering the league, and just barely returned to the court for the Milwaukee Bucks. Is he really worth the price of admission?

Well, two things there. First, this is a dream scenario, so the money aspect of it really doesn’t matter. Second, this is Parker we’re talking about. He was a phenom coming out of college, and would likely be a superstar at this point in his career if it weren’t for the two tears in his left knee.

If the Lakers let Julius Randle walk this offseason, they’re going to need more options at power forward. Yes, They have Kyle Kuzma, but they also just traded away Larry Nance Jr. to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kuzma and a rookie or cheap veteran signing isn’t going to get the job done moving forward.

Parker, however, brings elite potential to the mix. He’s a proven playmaker who can score in bunches while also providing excellent value on the defensive end. He may not be the electric athlete that Andrew Wiggins was coming into the 2014 NBA Draft, but Parker has his own unique skill-set that makes him a nightmare for defenders.

Would Los Angeles really pass on that type of upside? I find it hard to believe they would if the financials weren’t an issue. There’s also the whole part about him being a restricted free agent, but for our purposes, who cares? Throw out a big offer and see if the Bucks are willing to match.