One of the options the Los Angeles Lakers will have this summer when it comes to upgrading their roster is free agency. However, the types of players who could truly address their needs will be restricted free agents, which means their current teams have the right to match any outside offers the players receive.
Centers Walker Kessler and Jalen Duren and forwards Peyton Watson and Tari Eason have been linked to Los Angeles as far as players it reportedly has interest in going after. But according to Dan Woike of The Athletic, the options in restricted free agency aren’t “considered particularly logical.”
“While there’s some talent at positions of need in restricted free agency, the options aren’t considered particularly logical according to league sources,” Woike wrote. “The expectation around the league is that the Utah Jazz will match any offer sheet Walker Kessler receives, and executives hold a similar view regarding Detroit and Jalen Duren. Another restricted free agent center at least worth monitoring is Mark Williams in Phoenix (yeah, the guy the Lakers traded for before rescinding the deal). But it’s only logical to wonder why the Suns would give up assets to acquire Williams only to let him walk a season later. Wings Tari Eason and Peyton Watson both have injury and shooting concerns while also being held in high esteem by their current employers. Prying players loose in restricted free agency is one of the biggest gambles in the NBA, and generally speaking, it’s regarded as a poor Plan A for teams trying to make moves.
“The Lakers could try to work trades for any of the restricted free agents they covet, but the track record of good restricted free agents being allowed to leave for free is almost nonexistent.”
Woike also spelled out the best option for the Lakers to upgrade their roster.
“It’s why trading into the Lakers’ space is the easiest plan for the team to first try to execute. The penalties associated with the first and second aprons could put the Lakers in a good position to acquire talent without having to make major withdrawals from their limited draft capital.”
The team is projected to have as much as roughly $50 million in salary cap space this summer. However, it will also want to re-sign a number of its own players who will enter free agency, including LeBron James and Austin Reaves, both of whom could command max or near-max salaries.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Report: Lakers’ restricted free agent targets may be unrealistic
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire | USA TODAY Network
