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Los Angeles Lakers: Six potential free agent targets for depth

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Brooklyn Nets in the first quarter during their game at Barclays Center on February 10, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 10: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts against the Brooklyn Nets in the first quarter during their game at Barclays Center on February 10, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for The Webby Awards)
(Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for The Webby Awards) /

4. PG Isaiah Thomas

Isaiah Thomas played less than half a season with the Los Angeles Lakers and ultimately sat out the end of the season to undergo hip surgery to fix the hip that ultimately led to his downfall from being a max contract player.

After last season, Thomas has a somewhat bad image around him. Many speculate whether or not he really was as good as he played in 2016 or if it was just Brad Stevens’ genius. Plus, Thomas had a not-so-great relationship with LeBron James which may ultimately keep him out of Los Angeles altogether.

However, there are also reports that the Los Angeles Lakers may look to re-sign Thomas due to the positive impact he had on the young players last season.

Thus, there is one ideal situation in which acquiring Thomas makes sense.

The 2019 offseason is just as stacked as the 2018 offseason. That offseason, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson and even LeBron James again may all be available.

If the Lakers are unable to cash in on Paul George and another star, and just bring in George, bringing back Thomas on a one-year deal to serve as the sixth-man makes perfect sense. Los Angeles can sign him for just one season and give him $20 million in the process.

He gets the money he thinks he deserves with a short-term contract to potentially prove himself to any other suitors in the future that want to sign him to that max deal.

And the Los Angeles Lakers get another piece to add to Paul George to give this team playoff experience before going out and finishing the project in 2019.

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