3 Free Agents the Lakers Must Target After Hiring JJ Redick
By Jovan Alford
2. Markelle Fultz
If D’Angelo Russell opts out, leaving the Lakers with a $12.9 mid-level exception, Fultz wouldn’t be a bad choice to use it on.
The Lakers will need to make a concerted effort to stabilize the guard position this offseason, especially with Russell’s postseason struggles and Spencer Dinwiddie being an unrestricted free agent.
Los Angeles grabbed Dinwiddie off the buyout market this season after being traded by the Brooklyn Nets. However, the move didn’t pay off as the veteran point guard averaged 6.8 points, 2.4 assists, and 1.7 rebounds in 24.2 minutes per game.
Dinwiddie was also a net negative in the postseason, recording three points in 14.6 minutes per game. Nonetheless, if the Lakers went after Fultz in free agency, it would give a quality veteran guard, who can defend and help push the pace.
Fultz struggled with injury this season in Orlando, only playing in 48 games. The former No. 1 overall pick averaged 7.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He isn’t much of a shooter from beyond the arc but has still found a way to score in the lane and midrange.
If the Magic don’t re-sign Fultz, the Lakers could get the 26-year-old on a discount – maybe on a cheap 1 or 2-year deal. Also, one more thing to remember is that Redick played with Fultz in Philadelphia for one season (2018-19).