Los Angeles Lakers: 5 free agent targets to repeat in 2020-21

After a successful run at the 2020 NBA Championship, the Los Angeles Lakers will look to become active players in the free agency market.

In a relatively untroubling fashion, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat to be crown 2020 NBA Champions. After a 10-year drought for the franchise, it was now time to earn that 17th Larry O’Brien trophy, tied with the Boston Celtics for the most in NBA history.

At times, this team appeared totally invincible, resulting in a total of five games lost throughout the entire postseason. The roster was filled with talented veterans with a passion for winning and the team chemistry was off the charts.

Regardless of how great that team was, though, everybody can live with a little bit of improvement. As the 2020 free agency kicks in, the Los Angeles Lakers will actively pursue a number of free agents to make sure that repeating isn’t just a dream for the upcoming season.

So which Lakers are about to hit free agency? Jared Dudley, Dwight Howard, Markieff Morris, Dion Waiters and J.R. Smith will all be unrestricted free agents that the team should look really closely to determine whether to bring them back or not.

Regarding the player options for the remaining guys, Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo, Kenvavious Caldwell-Pope, JaVale McGee and Avery Bradley all have the right to choose whether they get instantly added to next year’s roster.

Anthony Davis will reportedly opt out and re-sign right away. McGee and Bradley will probably opt in as they might have a hard time getting better offers. Lastly, Rondo and Pope are most likely to test the waters, though a return to the City of Angels seems forthcoming.

What exactly is this organization after in free agency? For starters, a point guard that can create his own shot is a must-have for next season. Not necessarily a star, just someone that can take the ball off the hands of LeBron and Davis for a few possessions.

Up next is a couple of dead-eye sharpshooters, the kind that LeBron has had around him during his entire career. The Lakers shot just 34.9 percent from 3-point range during their 2019-20 campaign which was good enough for 21st in the NBA.

Last but not least, depending on Dwight’s and McGee’s decisions, a traditional center who rebounds and defends for a living.