Insider: Three centers may be out of reach for Lakers in free agency
Insider: Three centers may be out of reach for Lakers in free agency
The Los Angeles Lakers badly need a starting-caliber center and will look to obtain one this summer. They can either look to land such a player through free agency or from the trade market.
The trade market will likely be a more realistic source of a center than the free agent market for the Lakers. Unless LeBron James takes enough of a pay cut on a new contract, which he isn't expected to do, they will likely only have the $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception to offer.
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, there are three possible free agency targets who play the 5 who will be out of reach for Los Angeles this offseason.
Via Bleacher Report:
"Myles Turner, who'd be the best fit, will get more to stay with the Indiana Pacers," Pincus wrote. "The Houston Rockets won't lose Steven Adams to the Lakers at $5.7 million. ... Andre Drummond is expected to pick up his $5 million player option with the Philadelphia 76ers."
Turner is someone whom L.A. has had interest in for the last couple of years. He's an excellent shot-blocker and a reliable 3-point shooter, but he's likely going to command a lot of money on the open market. In addition, with his Pacers seemingly on the verge of reaching the NBA Finals, it's hard to imagine him leaving such a strong team.
Adams could bring L.A. strength, defense and physicality at the 5, as could Drummond.
One possible option in free agency, if he's willing to take a significant pay cut, is Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks. However, he's 37 years of age and could fall off a cliff in terms of his production and overall game next season.
One NBA executive reportedly said he's sure the Lakers "have already talked to" Lopez, who played for them during the 2017-18 season.
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