4 Free Agents the Lakers Can Target to Replace D'Angelo Russell Following Latest Contract Rumor
By Cem Yolbulan
2. De'Anthony Melton
This one is more realistic for the Lakers. De'Anthony Melton doesn't have the stature Caldwell-Pope does and should be more acquirable in the free-agent market. He spent the last two seasons in Philadelphia and established himself as one of the better 3-and-D guards in the league.
Melton was on a four-year, $35 million contract that expires this summer. Considering that he spent most of the 2023-24 season sidelined with injury, he shouldn't garner significantly more than that on the open market. The Lakers can certainly afford to give him a similar contract this offseason.
In two seasons with the Sixers, Melton averaged 10.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, while shooting 37.9% from three. He is obviously not the offensive talent D'Angelo Russell is and would need to play next to another point guard, but he is one of the better defenders in his position.
He can guard multiple positions, but is also a very active help defender, getting in passing lanes, and running out in transition for easy buckets.
Plus, Melton is only 25 years old. He should get better going forward, so whatever contract he ends up getting will be very movable regardless.