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This summer will be a transformative offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers. After the anticipated roster losses, they will have a new head coach and a large number of new players. D’Angelo Russell is one of the names that will probably go elsewhere. According to the most recent reports, Russell is expected to decline his player option for the upcoming season and become a free agency without restrictions.
The All-Star guard may still be able to remain in Los Angeles in spite of everything. Russell is still available to the Lakers for a long-term contract. It doesn’t make much sense for them to keep him and try to win it back with the same club, though, after witnessing his failures throughout the playoffs. The Lakers must instead look for better fits in the free-agent pool. Shooting is clearly their main need, especially now that Russell is gone.
Finding players who can consistently defend and shoot is difficult. Although those guys are among the most prized in the NBA, the Lakers could have some options this summer. Even with Russell departing, the Lakers still have a lot of cap room, which is one of their problems. If necessary, they can produce more by trading for Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Jarred Vanderbilt or by moving on from them.
However, the Lakers won’t have much money to deal with this summer beyond the taxpayer mid-level exception unless LeBron James signs a new contract with them for an absurdly low salary. Let’s examine the potential targets for them.
1. Caldwell-Pope Kentavious
This would be KCP’s return to Los Angeles, and the Lakers would probably need to make additional cap space available or sign and trade. Although it would be challenging for the front staff, Caldwell-Pope must be the Lakers’ main priority this summer. The Lakers are searching for a player just like Caldwell-Pope. The Lakers had him on a team-friendly contract previously, so it is very disappointing that general manager Rob Pelinka chose to include him in the Russell Westbrook trade. Without a doubt, if KCP had still been on the team, the Lakers would have looked entirely different and considerably better.
The shooting guard, 31, is the quintessential 3-and-D player. He is a versatile guard who can make 40% of his threes and without any flaws. Even though he doesn’t possess D’Angelo Russell’s shot creation, he is still a far more valuable player for a contender.
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.
Furthermore, Melton is just 25 years old. He ought to get better in the future, therefore whatever contract he signs will be highly negotiable.
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