Los Angeles Lakers: Mid-tier free agents team could target in 2018

J.J. Redick, SG — Philadelphia 76ers (Unrestricted)

Personally, I’ve never been a big fan of J.J. Redick, and it has nothing to do with his Duke days. He just catches me a one-dimensional player whose value can be overstated. For this exercise, though, I’m going to put my personal feelings aside and focus on the Lakers.

There’s one significant need Redick would address heading into the 2018-19 campaign — well more like two. The Lakers may need to replace Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at the starting 2-guard spot. If that’s the case, they must find someone who upgrades the team’s 3-point shooting. As you can probably ascertain, Redick checks off both of those boxes.

My big concern is Redick’s asking price, which may be a bit gaudy. Then again, that’s what happens when the Philadelphia 76ers pay him $23 million to come be a 3-point specialist. I don’t think he gets that type of deal again this year, but you never know in today’s NBA.

Either way, Redick makes sense for the Lakers. He’d immediately upgrade the long range shooting, give them a reliable scoring threat, and help space the floor while giving Lonzo Ball more room to work as the offensive catalyst.

Is Redick the missing piece to the puzzle for Los Angeles? Not even close, but if Magic Johnson has cap space burning a hole in his pocket, there are worse ways to spend it.