Lakers rumors: Three ways to spend the new cap space in the summer
By Jason Reed
Option #3:
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Nerlens Noel: Four-year, $28 million
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Wesley Matthews: One-year, $23 million
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Julius Randle: Three-year, $24 million
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Willie Reed: One-year, $6 million
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Devin Harris: One-year, $5 million
And the Los Angeles Lakers would still have a lot of cap space to function, some of these guys may end up getting more than I outlined.
At the end of the day, there is a very real possibility that the Los Angeles Lakers, in fact, do not go on a superstar spending spree in 2018. There have already been the Lakers rumors that the team is looking at their future in a more long-term manner (aimed for 2019). Plus, the biggest superstars of the summer all have player options.
If none of these superstars opt out of their deal, there simply won’t be anyone to sign.
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Thus, the Lakers can take an approach similar to this year and stock up on solid talent that may not make them contenders but can help them compete and doesn’t break the bank. Wesley Matthews is a solid shooting guard who would fit in nicely alongside Lonzo Ball’s distribution.
Nerlens Noel has been rumored to be LeBron’s future running mate in LA so that signing could just be moving the pawns on the chess board. Of course, as we have will all scenarios, Randle is coming back. Willie Reed is brought in on a one-year deal to be the backup center, Devin Harris is brought in to mentor Ball off of the bench.
This is not the most exciting summer, but I would argue that these additions, along with the natural progression of the young core, can lead the Lakers to the postseason.
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And if you aren’t going to contend, that is the next best thing. You cannot rebuild and tank forever, these young players need winning experience. At the very least, the Lakers can give them that with this kind of summer.