After an unforgettable free agency class of 2010, which some people believed caused the lockout to drag for over 100 days, we are facing yet another talented class. Although this year’s players are not on the same level as LeBron James and Amar’e Stoudemire, the fact that the period will start on the same day as training camps will result in a complete frenzy.
The Lakers and the other 28 teams in the NBA who could not reach the championship level that the Mavericks did, need to improve their rosters and hope to sign a few players before the Christmas season tip-off. The Mavs are also in limbo as many of their key pieces from the 2010-11 championship team are free agents and may head out of Dallas.
Next Page: Top Free Agents, 10-8
10. Glen Davis- PF; Unrestricted
Glen Davis was overlooked coming out of college due to his size and lack of explosiveness; however, he has helped the Celtics make two Finals appearances and has helped them win one NBA title. Davis may not produce on the same level as Pau Gasol or Amar’e Stoudemire, but he can provide any team with instant energy and hustle.
Lakers fans understand just how effective Davis can be and how easily he can change the outcome of the game. Remember Game 5 of the NBA Finals?
9. Tayshaun Prince- SF; Unrestricted
Tayshaun Prince was one of many talented players on the 2004 champion Detroit Pistons team. The Pistons upset the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers with a balanced attack. Those Pistons personified teamwork and have been the poster-team for franchises without a superstar.
Since then, however, age and mediocrity have taken over the Motor City. Chauncey Billups and Rasheed Wallace have parted ways from the Pistons, and only three players from that dynamic starting five remain. With nothing to look forward to in Detroit, this would be the best time for Prince to leave. He can still put points on the board and his length presents problems for every opponent.
The Lakers are one team that would benefit from adding Prince. Just image the difficulty the opposition would face when being defended by both Lamar Odom and Tayshaun Prince.
The Los Angeles Lakers are also quite familiar with the productivity level of J.J. Barea. Barea was a key player in the Mavericks’ sweep of the Lakers, and he had his way with L.A.’s big men. Barea constantly scored in the paint and could get any shot he wanted against Bynum and Gasol.
Barea will be a coveted free agent this summer and many teams would like to add this explosive guard to their lineup. Although he stands at only six feet tall, he has an uncanny knack for scoring over several defenders. However, at this point it seems as though J.J. Barea will return to the Mavs in pursuit of his second title. Nevertheless, an attractive offer from another team may bring Barea out of Mark Cuban’s hands.
Next Page: Top Free Agents, 7-5
7. DeAndre Jordan- C; Restricted
The Los Angeles Clippers may not have made the playoffs last season, but their front-court of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan left fans entertained. Jordan showed the world just how capable and potent he can be playing the center position and his versatile style perfectly fits that of Blake Griffin.
The Lakers have a dominant center in Andrew Bynum, and although Jordan is not as effective on the defensive end, the Lakers could surely benefit from his offensive prowess. His 10.3 point and 10.6 rebound per game average last season shows his potential for being one of the best centers in the NBA.
The Los Angeles Lakers were once the team Caron Butler called his own, and he instantly developed a strong bond with star Kobe Bryant. However, at that time Butler was still adjusting to the NBA game, and once he was traded to the Washington Wizards, the world saw just how talented he was. While with the Wizards, Butler became an all-star forward and made the team a perennial playoff squad.
Nevertheless, the Wizards parted ways with Butler in 2010 and sent him to the Dallas Mavericks. While with the Mavs, Butler became the team’s second most consistent scorer and proved to be a vital part to their success. Although injuries prevented him from competing in the 2011 NBA Finals, teams know his true value. ‘Tough Juice’ is capable of providing teams without a small forward with instant offense and intense defense. It is safe to say that Butler would make a perfect replacement for the once effective Metta World Peace.
5. David West- PF; Unrestricted
The New Orleans Hornets relied on David West for his scoring abilites, and his pick-and-roll combo with Chris Paul was tough to beat. With Paul running the point, West found easy baskets near the hoop and was once named to the Western Conference All-Star team.
West is known for his mid-range jump-shot, and his 16.4 ppg and 7.3 rpg average throughout his career can surely help a struggling team. Still, the Lakers should avoid getting rid of one of their big men for West, there is no need to give up two seven-footers for a smaller forward.
Next Page: Top Free Agents, 4-1
4. Jason Richardson- SG; Unrestricted
Jason Richardson is most famous for his dunks in various contests and his ability to change a game with his incredible leaping ability. However, he is more than just a high-flyer. Richardson can step back and knock down threes with ease and he fit well with the Magic last year because of that.
The Lakers were horrendous from beyond the arc last season, so they could definitely use Richardson’s precision this year. At some point in the season the Lakers will need players to knock down threes late in the game, so the best option in this class in J-Rich.
In this ten-year career, Richardson has averaged 18.0 ppg, 2.8 apg, 5.1 rpg and .373% from the three-point line.
3. Jamal Crawford- SG; Unrestricted
Jamal Crawford has been a valuable piece off the bench for the Hawks and he won the 2010 Sixth Man of the Year thanks to his efforts. Crawford has helped the Hawks with various game winning shots and instant offensive production off the bench. If there is one player in the league who can help a team win a game in the matter of five minutes, it’s Crawford.
The Lakers’ bench did not live up to expectations last season, so adding Crawford would make perfect sense. Shannon Brown is likely headed out of Los Angeles, so making Crawford the back-up to Kobe Bryant would give the Lakers two potent guards.
2. Marc Gasol-C; Restricted
The young Memphis Grizzlies have a great nucleus, part of which includes Marc Gasol. Gasol, the younger brother of Pau Gasol, helped the Grizzlies in their Cinderella run in the playoffs last year and was a reliable scorer and defender for the team. His tandem with Zach Randolph presented many problems for the Spurs and Thunder, and they hope to continue their success this season.
However, it is very unlikely that the Lakers will give up Pau for Marc, considering they have done that already. Pau is still the more skilled of the two brothers and has already won over the Lakers’ front-office over the past three seasons. On top of that, it will take a lot of money and a lot of bargaining to make Gasol leave Memphis and to make the Grizzlies give up their young talent.
Although Tyson Chandler rarely led his team in scoring, his heart and hustle helped the Mavericks win the 2011 NBA championship. Chandler was the anchor of the Mavs’ defense and he thwarted LeBron James and Dwyane Wade from attacking the basket.
Last season in the playoffs, Chandler had an average of 8.0 points and pulled down 9.2 rebounds per game. His numbers may not have been flashy, but without his efforts the Mavericks would not have made it to the NBA Finals, let alone win the championship.