'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The LA Lakers were knocked out by the Phoenix Suns in round 1 of the NBA Playoffs this season. Meanwhile, the Lakers were unlucky with injury concerns for both Anthony Davis and LeBron James when it mattered the most. They still have two of the biggest superstars in the league and will be one of the favorites for the NBA championship next season.
The LA Lakers do not have a lot of cap space and will need to get rid of some contracts in order to make space. However, that is not expected to be a problem, with multiple players linked to moves away in the past few weeks. In this article, we look at five free agents that the LA Lakers can sign in the coming offseason.
2021 NBA offseason: 5 Players the LA Lakers can sign
Apart from injury concerns, the LA Lakers were also hurt due to average performances from role players and secondary shooters. Dennis Schroder has been inconsistent while the likes of Kyle Kuzma and KCP might also be headed on their way in the coming offseason. This will allow the LA Lakers to look into signing multiple shooters who could benefit the roster.
#1 Reggie Bullock
30 year-old Reggie Bullock could be an adept inclusion for the LA Lakers’ roster especially if they decide to do away with Dennis Schroder. Bullock is a versatile defender and a decent three-point shooter who produced 10.9 points per game as a starter for the New York Knicks.
The LA Lakers needed perimeter defenders and struggled against three-point shooters consistently throughout the season. Reggie Bullock is a potential role player that the LA Lakers can acquire on the cheap. He shot at more than 41% from the three-point zone despite having more than six attempts per game and is a secondary role player that the LA Lakers can benefit from.
#2 Spencer Dinwiddie
Spencer Dinwiddie had an injury-ravaged season and is reportedly looking to move back to Los Angeles, the city that he grew up in. Dinwiddie had a breakout 2019-20 NBA season in which he averaged more than 20 points with 6.8 assists. A potential move in the coming offseason appears to have only one downfall, the fact that Dinwiddie is not a good three-point shooter.
Regardless, now 27, he still has some of his best years left and can emerge as a prolific secondary scorer for the LA Lakers. Dinwiddie also has the capability to step up in place of Dennis Schroder, and is another cheaper option that the LA Lakers should look into.
#3 DeMar DeRozan
Acquiring DeMar DeRozan can be difficult considering the lack of cap space for the LA Lakers. However, a potential signing and trade deal will allow them to acquire a prolific scorer who still has plenty left in his tank. DeRozan has produced at least 20 points per game for eight consecutive seasons and looks set to single-handedly lead the Spurs to the Playoffs this season.
A move for DeRozan will result in an automatic “big three” for the LA Lakers and will make them one of the biggest favorites for the championship next year. Of course, a potential move from DeRozan would still require the LA Lakers to add numbers to the PG position. However, the move makes sense for both parties as DeRozan will be looking to join an elite time this offseason.
#4 Chris Paul
Chris Paul is reportedly set to decline his player option for next season and is looking for another multi-year deal. The LA Lakers are longterm admirers and Paul has proven himself to be a player who will automatically make them title favorites if the Lakers acquire him.
The financial aspect of the deal will be difficult to plan considering the LA Lakers do not have cap space and will need to offload multiple contracts. Regardless, a trio of Chris Paul, LeBron James and Anthony Davis have more than enough to take the league by storm next year.
#5 Kyle Lowry
Another player who can prove to be an incredibly useful addition, Kyle Lowry, will not only add playmaking and scoring, he will sort out the PG position for the Lakers for the time being. Lowry is a player they have been linked with since the March trade deadline, and the Lakers are expected to go for him again in the coming offseason.
He has produced 17.2 points, 7.3 assists and 5.4 rebounds for the Toronto Raptors this season, and a potential short-term deal for the 35-year old makes perfect sense for the LA Lakers. Lowry shot at over 43% from the three-point zone throughout the season and is another player the LA Lakers should look at.
