Pacific 2019 NBA Free Agency Primer: Division in greatest flux

LA Lakers

Situation Entering Offseason:

The ongoing saga in La-La Land literally serves up new names and rumors on an hourly basis. Rob Pelinka managed to navigate his initial guffaw with the “timing” of the Anthony Davis trade and subsequently will enter free agency with just three players on the roster and created enough cap room to sign another superstar.

The big question is, should they? Unless it’s Kawhi Leonard or Kyrie Irving I’m not sure they should. Nor am I confident they could land either. Kyrie wanted out from under LeBron’s shadow so why would he want to reunite and be even further down the pecking order? And, why would Leonard want to play the third wheel to two other stars when he just won the title, his second Finals MVP and basically is revered in Canada?

As I said rumors abound with names such as the above duo, Jimmy Butler, D’Angelo Russell, J.R. Smith (who is not a free agent but could be waived and then picked up) and even Carmelo Anthony making the rounds.

Salary:

Note: these numbers reflected the status of the Lakers entering June 27, 2019 and will change once updated to reflect the Wizards trade to obtain three Lakers moving them along with Davis declining his trade quicker resulting in $32M in cap space.

Cap Space: $ (19,689,800.00)
Floor Space: $ (16,315,352.00)
Max Space: $ 27,735,046.00
Projected Space: $ 27,735,046.00

*as per Keith Smith of Real GM

Key free agents to re-sign

Even with enough money to add her max contract, I’m not in the camp that believes the Lakers should take that route. It would behoove them to sign middle tier talent (shooters, big men who rim protect/rebound and playmakers).

There are ample options in these areas to pursue, but it feels like the pressure to add a third star might be coming from the King himself. Ramona Shelbourne said if the Lakers went out of their way to clear the cap via the Washington deal then they have a specific target in mind.

The problem is if they do sign a third star to a max deal then they’ll be faced with filling out a roster which requires every team to have 14 players on contract with peanuts for 10 of those players. I’m not sure that’s the ideal way to approach building a roster, nor if Pelinka has the chops to select the right pieces.

Hey, it’s long been known LeBron likes to get his hands involved in all aspects of his team and it would appear he’s right back at it. I just hope he recognizes one injury to himself, Davis, Kuzma or whoever this fourth star is they would sign could result in an extended losing streak and the Lakers could miss the postseason again.

2019 Roster Depth:

Note: as per Adrian Wojnarowski the Lakers will trade Isaac Bonga, Jemerrio Jones, and, Moritz
Wagner to the Wizards as part of the New Orleans deal. And, Anthony Davis has agreed to waive  his $4 million trade kicker

• Anthony Davis
• LeBron James
• Kyle Kuzma

Draft Picks:

• Talen Horton-Tucker

Trades:

• Isaac Bonga
• Jemerrio Jones
• Moritz Wagner

2019 free agents

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Tyson Chandler
Rajon Rondo
Lance Stephenson
JaVale McGee
Mike Muscala
Alex Caruso (Restricted- Lakers submit qualifying offer)
Johnathan Williams (Restricted)
Reggie Bullock

2020 free agents

Anthony Davis (Player)
Jemerrio Jones (Restricted)