We are just hours into free agency and the Los Angeles Lakers are anxious to enhance their squad at every level. Due to their limited spending, there are only a few players they can pursue, but as a storied franchise, the Lakers are always able to acquire tremendous quality for a low price. Here are their top three players to target once free agency officially begins.
3) Victor Oladipo- SG
Following a season in which he saw little playing time due to injuries, Oladipo might experience a career resurgence playing alongside LeBron James in Los Angeles. Because he is a two-player, he would fit right in with what their head coach is looking for. Prior to his injury, he was a 20-point-per-game player who was named to the All-NBA Defense Team. If the organization is able to sign him to a veteran minimum contract, his performance on the court will trump the value of his contract.
2) Gary Harris- SG
During Harris‘ early years in Denver, there was a lot of talk about how good the backcourt tandem of him and Jamal Murray would be. While he was excellent in his own right, he was later traded to the Orlando Magic. Due to the infusion of a younger incoming core, he averaged 10 points per game in his last season in Orlando. He’s still relatively young at 27, it’s still time for him to exhibit the same talent that he did in Denver. Regardless of the kind of deal he’d be offered, he’d fit the squad well due to his spacing and ability to shoot from three.
1) Mo Bamba- C
If there was one thing the Lakers really needed, it was help at the center position. With Anthony Davis injured and a revolving door at center, the former Orlando center would swiftly fill that void. The previous top ten pick in the 2018 draft failed to live up to expectations, averaging 10 points and 8 rebounds throughout his time with the team.
While Wendell Carter Jr.’s accession could have played a role, with their recent acquisition of picking Paolo Panchero first overall in this year’s draft, the writing was on the wall for him. Bamba’s talent was only concealed due to playing for a weak organization that underutilized his talent. Towards the conclusion of the season he demonstrated his tremendous defense as a shot-blocker. He also clearly exhibited his ability to shoot from long range. You pair him with Anthony Davis and you have one of the best defensive front-court duos in the league.
Bamba would be the ideal big man in the Lakers’ new system, and his talents could finally be used properly. Not to mention the Lakers have a long history with Orlando’s centers, who always perform well when they are in purple and gold.
