Los Lakersafter completing a disastrous season in which they did not play the playoffs and they didn’t even get into the play-ins finishing eleventh, they need to add reinforcements to their squad to try to pick up the slack. LeBron James, Russell Westbrook y Anthony Davis They will once again be the three pillars of the team if their physical condition allows it, not like last season. Y Darvin Hamsubstitute for the dismissed Frank Vogeldirect operations from the bench.
It seems obvious that the Lakers need to add a player with pedigree to their roster if they are able to close any exchange, but they must also cComplete their roster with players who are compliant and can sign for the mid-level exception or the minimum veteran contract. they need to add toughness, defense and experience to return to the playoffs, and the market could offer a handful of available veteran players. The prestigious specialized publication fadeawayworld.net has produced a ranking with the 10 veterans who will give the profile to reinforce the Lakers. These are:
10. Bismack Biyombo (2.03 years old)
Bismack Biyombo fulfilled last campaign with the Phoenix Suns in the 14.1 minutes I played on average per game, almost always to give rest to Deandre Ayton. Solid under boards and good Intimidator, could bring those characteristics to the Lakers when Anthony Davis is not on the pitch. With the Suns I averaged 5.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 0.6 steals and 0.7 blocks in 14.1 minutes. He is only 2.03 m tall, but his large wingspan (2.29 m) allows him to be very intimidating.
The former Fuenlabrada playerwhere he spent the 2010-11 season before going to the NBA, can sign for a veteran’s minimum contractalready the 29 to and with a history of some persistent injuries, it may be a low-risk, high-reward option for angelenos. To give 15 or 20 solvent minutes it can be a good element to Darvin Hamnew coach of the Lakers, who has asked for more defense. In this facet Biyombo can help.
9. Markieff Morris (2.06m and 32 years old)
Markieff Morris made his presence known in the Miami Heat providing toughness and fighting ability in the paint. Average 7.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.1 blocks in 17.5 minutes. Morris wants play for teams that aspire to the championship or have a large market, and the Lakers meet both requirements. Or at least the second for sure.
LeBron James might also enjoy playing with Morris because Morris knows the game and he is a player who defensively can become irritating for rivals. He showed it in his confrontations contra Nikola Jokic, for instance. For a minimum contract, the competitive Markieff Morris wouldn’t be a bad option for Angelenos.
8. Robin Lopez (2.13 and 34)
robin lopez He has been in the NBA for 14 seasons and knows the pvot job well. From their 2.13 m. and 127 kiloshas always been a defender and a rebounder quite competent. It comes from averaging with Orlando Magic 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 17 minutes on average in the 36 games I played. and andIn 2020 he played for the Milwaukee Bucks with a superstar and several talented players. It would be a scenario like the one found in the Lakers.
Los Lakers can offer you a veteran’s minimum contractthen it meets the defensive player profile that Darvin Ham demands. And at 34 years old, he is still capable of squeezing rivals, despite he has been since the 2018 season without averaging double digits. As a player for a specific job I could fulfill.
7. Serge Ibaka (2.08 years old)
Serge Ibaka He is always a player that the teams want to count on for his veteran locker room leadership and defensive intangibles. it was twice top blocker of the NBA and was part of the best defensive team in the league three times. In 2019 he won the ring with the Raptorsand then go through the Clippers before landing last February in the Buckswhere I averaged 6.8 points, 4.6 rebounds0.9 assists, 0.2 steals and 0.6 blocks.
The Congolese with a Spanish passport has experience with teams that aspire to the title Almost since he started his career with the Thunder. He is no longer a compulsive blocker like then, but an can defend with solvency under boards and over the years has polished a good mid range shot. Accustomed to playing with first spades, he will not have a hard time doing it next to LeBron James y Russell Westbrook. And Darvin Ham was sure to appreciate his defensive skills.
6. Blake Griffin (2,06 m y 33 aos)
Blake Griffin He is no longer the player who dazzled with his jumps and uncontrollable offensive moves near the rim. No, no longer a force of nature, but it can still contribute some things. Last campaign was frustrated because the Nets hardly gave him minutes of game. firm averages 6.4 points, 4.1 rebounds1.9 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.3 blocks.
He was already in the Clippers and the six-time All Star wouldn’t mind playing Los Angeles again. Griffin is no longer a star, but he is certainly a big name and help the Lakers continue to sell tickets with players like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard. Even if his numbers aren’t very good, he can spread the floor and is still a good passer. Read the game well.
5. Tristan Thompson (2.06 m and 31 years old)
Tristan Thompsonpvot of 2.06 m and 115 kilos can still play basketball. He was always a great rebounder for strength, placement and experience. It is no longer what it was, but he can give 15 or 20 minutes as a ‘5’.
Yes coincidi con LeBron James en Cleveland Cavalierswinning the ring in 2016. Last campaign played 57 games with the Bulls, posting 6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.4 blocks. If he can keep those numbers he could be a good backup option with a veteran’s minimum contract. Thompson is one of the best paint defenders available on the market, which will be to the liking of Darvin Ham.
4. Hassan Whiteside (2,13 m y 33 aos)
Hassan Whiteside He is no longer the dominant player of his time in the Miami Heatbut still can help rebound and block in limited minutes. It will be a good complement in the Lakers to give minutes of rest to the starting pvot. Your numbers with Utah Jazz have been more than acceptable: 8.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.3 steals and 1.6 blocks.
The Lakers need to add big players in the paint, since Anthony Davis is likely to miss a few games during the season due to his physical problems, and Dwight Howard is on the last. Whiteside can approach a double-double per game and block shots. The Los Angeles defense was disappointing last season and Whiteside could help reinforce it. For the minimum or medium level of a veteran, he would be a very valid addition.
3. Goran Dragic (1,91 m y 36 aos)
Goran Dragic He is no longer the shooting guard who played the All Star in 2018, but he can make a difference from the bench with the ball in his hands. The Slovenian understands the game like few others and he can make his teammates better in attackenabling Russell Westbrook to score or creating plays for others. Dragic had a decent year on the Raptors and on the Nets last campaign, with averages of 7.5 points and 4.1 assists in 21 games (5 con Toronto y 16 con Brooklyn).
If Dragic is physically fit and motivated to help a title contender, can be a valid option for the Lakers. He is a natural offensive talent and LeBron James could do very well to have a playmaker like him around. It has a different and even complementary profile with Westbrook And it could come in handy for Angelenos.
2. LaMarcus Aldridge (2,11 m y 36 aos)
LaMarcus Aldridge put up very solid numbers last year in 47 games with the Brooklyn Nets (12.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.3 steals and a block), And if his physique respects him, he can average similar scoring and rebounding stats for the Lakers. Aldridge, evidently, is no longer the player who was in seven All Stars, but he keeps his good hand from midrange and can occasionally hit a triple or play with his back to the rim.
But Aldridge he can’t spend many minutes on the court because if before it was a defensive ballast, now with his more limited physique, he is even more so. LaMarcus has never been a fast player, so will be a main option of backup annotation for Anthony Davis on the Lakers. For a veteran’s minimum contract, it would certainly be a good bet because you can still average double digits in annotation.
1. Carmelo Anthony (2.01)
Carmelo Anthony It was one of the few points that was saved from the disastrous season of the Lakers. got good numbers (13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.8 blocks) and possibly it was the most consistent shooter of the team. He started 69 games and in many of them, with injuries to LeBron and Davis and Westbrook’s blunder, I pulled the car almost alone.
Anthony is 38 years old, but can still average two digits in notation because he continues to read the attacking game remarkably. The Lakers will need a player who can provide that energy off the bench. They can’t afford to lose it because there are not many players who can average at least 10 points per game with a veteran’s minimum contract.