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Los Angeles Lakers have been gifted with a perfect potential new target

By Jason Reed

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors goes in for a slam dunk against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of their NBA Basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2018 in Oakland, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors goes in for a slam dunk against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of their NBA Basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2018 in Oakland, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The biggest speculation around the Los Angeles Lakers right now is regarding Kawhi Leonard, however, the team potentially has been handed a gift as well.

The Los Angeles Lakers have plenty of work to do this summer. After being quiet on the first day of free agency, there is hope that the Lakers are going to be the team that Kawhi Leonard decides to sign with.

The Lakers have the max spot for Leonard but still only has five players, one of which has not logged an NBA minute, on the roster. With or without Leonard, the Los Angeles Lakers are going to need to add pieces to build a full and complete roster.

If the team does get Leonard, the front office’s best friend is going to be mid-level exceptions and veteran minimum contracts, allowing the team to go over the cap. After a pretty big move on Sunday night, the Lakers could have been gifted a new veteran minimum target.

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The Golden State Warriors traded Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies to open cap space to acquire D’Angelo Russell in a sign and trade deal. Russell does serve as a nice replacement for Klay Thompson while he is out and might even stick around to form a new big three in Golden State.

However, because of his new contract and that fact that the Warriors already have an elite backcourt, Russell very well might be flipped at some point in the next year for other pieces.

It is not Russell that the Lakers are considered about, although they were tied to the point guard prior to this move. The player that the Lakers should be concerned with is Iguodala, who suddenly finds himself on a non-competitive team.

The best part of being on a non-competitive team is that the Memphis Grizzlies might just buy out the last year of his contract, essentially paying $17.1 million for the draft picks that the Warriors sent.

That is where the Los Angeles Lakers come into play and can offer Iguodala the veteran minimum considering he is going to get paid over $17 million regardless. Iguodala, wanting to get back at the Warriors and play for a contender, should be more than interested in signing with the Lakers.

And this is perfect for LA. This gives them the veteran piece that is comfortable with coming off the bench and is known for coming up in huge spots. Iguodala is still a capable defender and more importantly is a playoff performer.

Getting that kind of value out of a veteran minimum contract is very hard to find and provides a better outlook than, say, Carmelo Anthony would in the very same role.

Next. Reasons to believe that Kawhi will be a Laker. dark

The Golden State Warriors might not realize it, or maybe they do, but they may have just gifted the Los Angeles Lakers one of the essential pieces needed to win an NBA Championship. First, the Grizzlies need to just buy out Iguodala’s contract.

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