Insider: Three free agents the Lakers seem likely to keep
Los Angeles Lakers fans are very focused on the players their favorite team could add this offseason, either through free agency or the trade market.
But the Lakers will have a few of their current players become free agents this summer. There are a couple of them who they will need to retain in order to become a championship-caliber team next season.
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Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report feels Dorian Finney-Smith, Jordan Goodwin and Jaxson Hayes, all of whom can or will be free agents this summer, are likely to stick around for at least one more year.
Via Bleacher Report:
"You can also pencil in Dorian Finney-Smith back at a figure close to his player option ($15.4 million)," Pincus wrote. "His relationship with [Luka] Dončić may make him a fixture with the franchise.
"Assuming the Lakers retain Jordan Goodwin ($2.3 million team option), waive Shake Milton ($3 million non-guaranteed) and sign the 55th pick in June's draft to a minimum contract, their payroll will be $191.4 million with 12 players. That leaves them $16.5 million under the second apron (projected at $207.8 million) for any free agent acquisitions, with the $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception as their primary spending tool.
"L.A. also has Jaxson Hayes' early Bird rights, which allows them to pay him as much as $13.9 million as the starting salary on a new deal. That's higher than they'll budget for Hayes in a backup role, though."
Finney-Smith helped start the Lakers' transformation into a team that has the ability to play excellent perimeter defense when he arrived in a late December trade. Losing him would be a sizable blow, as he makes a significant impact on the court that goes beyond his numbers.
Goodwin was called up from the G League at midseason. The 6-foot-5 guard showed some promise by consistently hustling for rebounds and loose balls while displaying an improved 3-point shot. He averaged 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 18.7 minutes while shooting 43.8% from the field and 38.2% from 3-point range with Los Angeles during the regular season.
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Hayes was the only true center the team had on a standard contract after sending out Anthony Davis in the trade that brought it Doncic. While he can't be counted on to play big minutes, especially in the playoffs, nor can he effectively guard standout centers or box out for rebounds, he's a decent depth option.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Insider: Three free agents the Lakers seem likely to keep
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