NBA free agency is just days away, and the Los Angeles Lakers’ free agency plans are already becoming clear. The Lakers could have as much as $52 million in cap space and are looking to restructure their roster around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Thus far, they have been linked to Oklahoma City Thunder wing Lu Dort and could acquire him without trading a first-round pick or any players. Additionally, they have also been linked to free agent center Robert Williams as well as Mitchell Robinson.
Those are all interesting names. Even so, Los Angeles must be careful to build a roster that maximizes the strengths of Doncic and Reaves and minimizes their weaknesses.
The Lakers may play it safe this summer rather than star shopping
Trading for Dort would likely cost them a couple of second-round picks and $15 million in cap space. Meanwhile, bringing in Robert Williams would probably be for only the minimum. If they hope to bring back starting power forward Rui Hachimura, he could make in the $18-20 million range.
That would give the Lakers only around $20 million remaining to work with. Or, they could let Hachimura leave and go the restricted free agency route and pursue Utah Jazz starting center Walker Kessler.
He previously turned down a 5-year, $141 million extension, so he probably wouldn’t come cheap. However, he could solve the Lakers’ starting center problem for years to come.
The Lakers must rely on value signings rather than big names
Personally, I think they’d be wise to trade for Dort and bring back Marcus Smart for cheap, as well as Luke Kennard. Also, re-sign Hachimura; add Robert Williams for the minimum; and add another cheap center in free agency.
The Lakers have had plenty of success finding value signings and should rely on that skill to help fill out their roster. The results may be less star power than last season without LeBron James, who will likely leave in free agency.
However, that team might be better equipped to compete with better defensive personnel. Dort is an elite defender, Smart is still good, and Williams can still alter shots and rebound for 15-20 minutes a game.
That is the basis of a decent-to-good defense, while Doncic is the ultimate floor-raiser on offense. If they can make smaller moves to build a more balanced team, then the Lakers could ultimately be better for it next season.