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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 dire needs to address in 2019 NBA free agency

By James D. Tillman III

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 7: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics hug before the game on January 7, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 7: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics hug before the game on January 7, 2019 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

3. Acquire a two-way superstar

The Lakers didn’t jump through hoops to create additional cap space if they weren’t going to at least make an attempt at acquiring a third superstar, right? Having said that, the first name that comes to mind is Kawhi Leonard.

Leonard helped lead the Toronto Raptors to their first ever NBA championship and collected his second Finals MVP Award in the process. Considering that Leonard has proven he can perform on the league’s biggest stage, adding one of the best two-way players in the league makes perfect sense. A few months ago it was reported that Leonard didn’t want to join James on the Lakers, but that may not be the case right now.

If Leonard is receptive to the idea of playing with LBJ and AD, it could be a match made in heaven. The Klaw will give the Lakers a meeting to pitch him on assembling the greatest Big 3 in NBA history, according to Yahoo! Sports‘ Chris Haynes.

Another guy who has earned a reputation as a solid two-way player is Jimmy Butler. Long before he became the guy who could score 20 points a night, Jimmy Buckets was known for excelling on the defensive end of the floor. In fact, since coming into the league, Butler has been named to the All-Defensive Second Team four times.

Similar to Leonard, Butler isn’t afraid to take and make the big shot.

While Leonard is more than likely the preferred choice, Butler wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize.

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