This summer is one in which the Los Angeles Lakers are poised to make upgrades to the roster and make a leap into championship contention. The goal is to build a team that best complements superstar guard Luka Doncic and there are a number of options in free agency who could fit that bill.
Obviously the Lakers have a number of their own free agents whom they must decide whether they want to return, but plenty of other free agents including the likes to Tobias Harris, Norman Powell and Mitchell Robinson could all be on their radar this offseason, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN:
Among the unrestricted free agents who would slot well alongside Doncic, Detroit’s Tobias Harris, Miami’s Norman Powell, Chicago’s Anfernee Simons, New York’s Mitchell Robinson, Charlotte’s Coby White, Philadelphia’s Quentin Grimes, Cleveland’s Dean Wade and New York’s Landry Shamet all fit L.A.’s needs to varying degrees.
There is a lot of diversity with what each of these players bring to the table and could provide to the Lakers if they were to target them. Powell, Coby White, Anfernee Simons and Quentin Grimes are all offensive minded guards who provide shooting and can act as a secondary creator. Harris is a versatile forward, similar to Rui Hachimura, who has plenty of big-game experience and is coming off an excellent postseason run with the Detroit Pistons.
Dean Wade is more of a defensive-focused forward who doesn’t have the offensive creation capabilities of the other players, but is a solid shooter, while Robinson is perhaps the best offensive rebounder in the entire NBA and is exactly the type of lob threat big man that thrives next to Doncic and is coming off a championship run with the New York Knicks. Shamet also was huge for the Knicks in their title run and brings shooting as well as a high IQ player who can fit into any system.
What the Lakers ultimately choose to do this offseason is up in the air, but there are plenty of options available who can help this team reach the next level. The front office must identify who are the best pieces, be it through free agency, trades or the NBA Draft, and bring it all together to make the Lakers into contenders.
Luke Kennard interested in making Lakers his long-term home
One of the role players the Lakers must make a decision on whether he will return is sharp-shooting guard Luke Kennard, who reportedly would like to stick with the franchise long-term.
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