Realistic Options for Lakers in 2014 Free Agency

Courtesy: Zimbio.com

Next offseason, it is well known that the Lakers will have ample cap space to sign a couple big name free agents. The following list gives the names of the realistic options outside of the long shots such as Carmelo Anthony and Lebron James. This is also assuming the Lakers bring back Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, which I am confident that they will do.

Greg Monroe – PF/C Detroit Pistons

Greg Monroe will be coming off his fourth NBA season entering the 2014 free agency class. Since he would be coming off of his rookie contract, Monroe will be a restricted free agent. This makes things a little more complicated for the Lakers as Detroit can match any offer that they propose to Monroe. However, with the recent signing of Josh Smith, and emerging star center/power forward Andre Drummond, Greg Monroe will not be as high on the Pistons’ priority list. Monroe is one of the most underrated players in the entire NBA. He is a raw talent that has shown us flashes of offensive dominance. Unlike Dwight Howard, Monroe has several great post moves that can be expanded as he continues to improve. Along with his post-game, Monroe has an above average face up game. Additionally, he has very good passing skills for a big man but is lacking on the defensive side as a center. Monroe has trouble defending bigger centers, but when moved to the power forward his defense is elevated. There is no doubt that Monroe will have plenty of offers at the conclusion of the 2013-2014 NBA season. Greg has gone on the record and said that he wants to test free agency and the Lakers will have plenty of cap space to make a big offer. That being said, Greg Monroe is not only the most viable option for Los Angeles but he should be their top priority. Some training with Kareem and this man can be a star in this league.

Danny Granger – SF Indiana Pacers

For those of you who have forgot about Danny Granger, he has been a career Indiana Pacer who has been plagued by injuries for the last year and a half. Before Paul George took over, Granger was a stud offensively. He played with great strength and versatility although he lacked on the defensive side a bit. Since Paul George has come into his own, it seems as if Danny is an afterthought in Indiana now. The Pacers have proved that they can win without him. This leaves me to believe that they will let him walk after the conclusion of the 2013-2014 season. The Pacers will be better off spending their money on a point guard rather than a 30 year old small forward. The only thing that can get in the way of the Lakers being able to sign Danny Granger is him being traded this season. There is a strong chance he does because of the emergence of Paul George as well as the lucrative contract he signed this offseason. Adding Granger to the Lakers would add an instant 1-2 offensive punch alongside Kobe Bryant. Granger would help stretch the floor of LA. Of course the downsides to signing Granger would be his recent injury history and the fact that he will be 31 next year. If healthy he may be able to aid LA in a hunt for a championship in the immediate future.

Luol Deng – SF Chicago Bulls

There have been numerous rumors over the past few months of Luol Deng negotiating a contract extension, then talks breaking down, and starting up again. All that we know is that Luol Deng is going into the 2013-2013 NBA season in the final year of his contract. Chicago has been reluctant in giving Deng a large contract, probably to wait and see if they can acquire a star next offseason. Ultimately I believe Luol Deng will end up re-signing with Chicago, but why not play the what if card. Deng is one of my favorite players in the league because of how hard he works. His statistics are not glamorous but he does all of the little things needed for a championship team. Adding Luol Deng to any team would instantly elevate them to new levels that other players cannot provide. Deng is a fantastic defender, and though at times streaky, is a solid outside shooter. The addition of Luol Deng to the Lakers would be huge because they are in desperate need of that grind it out, hustle kind of player. He can help turn the atrocious Laker defense around. He does not need to be told what to do, he just goes out there and plays as hard as possible night in and night out. He’s a guy you have to respect just for his passion for the game. Best case scenario, Deng gets tired of waiting and opts to test free agency at the end of the year. He still has plenty of good years ahead of him as he is only 28 years old.

Eric Bledsoe – PG Phoenix Suns

Bledsoe played in LA last season but for the Clippers. His offensive game has not been very good, but his defense has proven to be outstanding. He is an explosive player who can get to the rim very well. Bledsoe has not had the opportunity to develop much because of the fact that he has been playing behind Chris Paul for the past couple seasons. Bledsoe hasn’t seen much playing time but this upcoming season with the Suns will allow him to prove his skills. It can also drive up his price at the end of the year if he excels in his new role. Either way, the Lakers need a new point guard for the future as Steve Nash is in the twilight years of his career. Eric Bledsoe can be a possible future asset to the Lakers as he continues to develop his offensive game. In the meantime, his defensive game would be a huge, and I mean huge, gain for the Lakers. They have struggled mightily defending the athletic point guards in the league. He would be that explosive player LA has been yearning for since they lost key players like Shannon Brown and Trevor Ariza to free agency after their championship years. For these reasons, Eric Bledsoe would be the best option for the Lakers going forward at the PG position.

Other possible role players:

Trevor Ariza – SF/SG Washington Wizards

Ramon Sessions – PG Charlotte Bobcats