LA Sports Hub
Fansided

Lakers Roundtable: How should the Lakers use their remaining cap space?

By Redan Lopez

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a timeout in the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on April 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during a timeout in the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on April 05, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Thoughts from Redan Lopez

All NBA team struggle with cap space. The Los Angeles Lakers are no different. I am going to be optimistic and say the Lakers will get the trade postponed and made official on July 30th. This will leave the Lakers with about $32 million of cap space.

I firmly believe the Lakers will not and should not go out to find a max player to use their remaining cap space. Why? One is the Lakers will be blowing all of it one person which no matter how good he is, is still only one person. I don’t care if this is Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Kawhi Leonard or anybody. Three players don’t make a team and last time I checked, there are five starters on a team.

Second, the Lakers would be wasting their chance at creating a deeper team. Veteran minimum contracts and exceptions (like the mid-level) will only get you a certain level of talent and quality.

Most importantly, the Lakers would be putting all of their eggs in one basket with Lebron, Davis, and whomever the max player is, possibly wearing out everyone once the playoffs arrive. Assuming they stay healthy & get there. Either way, the Lakers will depend heavily on these three and if one gets injured for any period of time, there will be trouble in Lakerland.

Thus, I propose the Lakers divide their cap space to get as many quality level players they can. Sounds simple, right? First, the Lakers should look to get a floor general (ideally a guard) that can help run the team when Lebron is on or off the floor as well as can shoot the ball well.

Darren Collision (32) comes to mind. Collision, who played for the Pacers last season and is coming of a two year, $20 million contract, would be an ideal fit. He shoots the three well (40% last season and career avg.) and can chip in a good amount of assists (6/game last season, 5/game career avg.).

Hypothetically, let’s say the Lakers offer $8 million and Collison takes it. $24 million left.

The Lakers still need some depth at center. Getting Brook Lopez (31), who was previously with the Milwaukee Bucks, would be a great fit in terms of the shooting he provides and his length provides a shot blocker at the rim. Lopez, who is coming off a one year, $3.3 million contract, should have no problem getting $8 million from the Lakers.

Lopez’s development of his game, especially in his ability to space the floor, makes this a steal for the Lakers. $7 million left.

Next for the Lakers is to get a good power forward that can still shoot when needed. How about Marcus Morris (29), who played for the Boston Celtics last season? Coming off a four year, $20 million dollar contract, Morris can space the floor as well as provide some valuable defense. He averaged 0.6 steals per game, high for a forward. He also has length in his 6’9 frame.

Morris knows that he can probably get $7 million at least. Let’s say that he gets that from the Lakers since he wants to join a contender at this point in his career. $10 million remaining.

With the starting five of Collison, Morris, Lebron, Davis, and Lopez, the Lakers should turn to round out their bench. They should immediately turn to get more shooting and defense, as the Lakers were one of the worst shooting and defensive teams last season.

A combination of a tough and tenacious Patrick Beverley would help here. I’m thinking Beverley is in the $6-8 million dollar range, which would exhaust about the rest of the cap. The Lakers could then maybe convince a Seth Curry to try and join their squad, though he is probably due a raise from the $2.75 million he made this past season (assuming he declines his player option).

The message here is clear. The Lakers and GM Rob Pelinka need to be smart and not spend all their money in one place. Depth and versatility is key to longevity and playoff success for the Lakers. They have so many needs to address and putting it all into one player won’t do them any favors, no matter how good that one player is.

The Lakers only need to only turn to the NBA Finals to see how accumulated depth helped the Toronto Raptors capture the title this year. The Lakers need to mirror that and spread the money around and get the most experienced, most well-rounded team they can get to compete.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers