LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 06: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with JaVale McGee #7 after passing Michael Jordan and moving to #4 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on March 06, 2019 in Los Angeles, California, 3 Los Angeles Lakers free agent targets with ties to LeBron James. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
Throughout his NBA career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James has undoubtedly played with his share of noteworthy teammates.
As the Lakers look to retool their roster this offseason, perhaps the front office should look to add some of those former teammates. Whether it be due to the player’s fit, production, financial value, or whatever else, there are several names that could make great additions to the Lakers, mainly in 2022 NBA free agency.
The Lakers will not have ample spending money, but that does not mean it would be impossible for them to strengthen their roster with several household names. With that being said, here are three notable free agent targets with ties to LeBron James for LA to target.
3 Los Angeles Lakers free agent targets with ties to LeBron James: JaVale McGee
JaVale McGree played a key role for the Los Angeles Lakers during his two years with the franchise between 2018-20, having served primarily as the team’s starting center. After helping the Lakers secure the 2020 NBA championship, the two sides went their separate ways, and a reunion would potentially make sense for both parties.
One area that plagued the Lakers throughout the 2021-22 season was their interior protection, as they surrendered 51.5 points in the paint per game during the regular season, which was tied for the second-most in the league.
Though that could largely be attributed to the lengthy absence of Anthony Davis, who missed a sizeable chunk of the season due to injuries, the Lakers would be wise to explore targeting more interior defenders such as McGee.
The big man is a solid shot-blocker, having averaged 1.5 blocks per game in his 14 seasons, and his presence was a key reason why LA had one of the league’s best defenses during their title-winning campaign.
McGee just finished up a solid season with the Phoenix Suns, and he will likely have several teams looking to add him in free agency. While the Lakers cannot offer him significant compensation, the front office could offer him a potential starting role and the chance to reunite with his former team as they look to compete for a championship next year.
Perhaps joining forces with LeBron James and Anthony Davis once again could be enticing for the 34-year-old veteran, but only time will tell how McGee approaches his unrestricted free agency. Whatever the case, Los Angeles should have him on their radar.
Los Angeles Lakers</a>, LeBron James has undoubtedly played with his share of noteworthy teammates.</p>
<p>As the Lakers look to retool their roster this offseason, perhaps the front office should look to add some of those former teammates. Whether it be due to the player’s fit, production, financial value, or whatever else, there are several names that could make great additions to the Lakers, mainly in 2022 NBA free agency.</p>
<p>The Lakers will not have ample spending money, but that does not mean it would be impossible for them to strengthen their roster with several household names. With that being said, here are three notable free agent targets with ties to LeBron James for LA to target.</p>
<h2>3 Los Angeles Lakers free agent targets with ties to LeBron James: JaVale McGee</h2>
<p>JaVale McGree played a key role for the Los Angeles Lakers during his two years with the franchise between 2018-20, having served primarily as the team’s starting center. After helping the Lakers secure the 2020 NBA championship, the two sides went their separate ways, and a reunion would potentially make sense for both parties.</p>
<p>One area that plagued the Lakers throughout the 2021-22 season was their interior protection, as they surrendered <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/25/los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-4/"https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/misc/?Season=2021-22&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&sort=OPP_PTS_PAINT&dir=-1%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">51.5 points in the paint per game during the regular season</a>, which was tied for the second-most in the league.</p>
<p>Though that could largely be attributed to the lengthy absence of Anthony Davis, who missed a sizeable chunk of the season due to injuries, the Lakers would be wise to explore targeting more interior defenders such as McGee.</p>
<p>The big man is a solid shot-blocker, having averaged 1.5 blocks per game in his 14 seasons, and his presence was a key reason why LA had one of the league’s best defenses during their title-winning campaign.</p>
<p>McGee just finished up a solid season with the Phoenix Suns, and he will likely have several teams looking to add him in free agency. While the Lakers cannot offer him significant compensation, the front office could offer him a potential starting role and the chance to reunite with his former team as they look to compete for a championship next year.</p>
<p>Perhaps joining forces with LeBron James and Anthony Davis once again could be enticing for the 34-year-old veteran, but only time will tell how McGee approaches his unrestricted free agency. Whatever the case, Los Angeles should have him on their radar.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/25/los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-4/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Target #2 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-446357" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/25/los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-4/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2198,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1271442124.jpeg" alt="Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James" width="3200" height="2198" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1271442124.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1271442124-768x528.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 08: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives the ball against Ben McLemore #16 of the Houston Rockets during the second quarter in Game Three of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 08, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, 3 Los Angeles Lakers free agent targets with ties to LeBron James. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 Los Angeles Lakers free agent targets with ties to LeBron James: Ben McLemore</h2>
<p>After being bought out by the Houston Rockets in 2021, Ben McLemore swiftly signed with the Los Angeles Lakers for a chance to compete for a championship. Things did not quite pan out as McLemore hoped, as LA fell short in their pursuit to defend their title and the guard departed in free agency. After spending this past season with the Portland Trail Blazers, McLemore will test free agency once again, and a reunion with LeBron James and the Lakers would be quite intriguing.</p>
<p>In addition to defense, another box that the Lakers need to check off this offseason is adding more three-point shooting. The Lakers shot just <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/25/los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-4/"https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/traditional/?sort=FG3_PCT&dir=-1&Season=2021-22&SeasonType=Regular%20Season%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">34.7 percent from 3-point land during the regular season</a>, which ranked 22nd in the entire NBA and was obviously a glaring flaw.</p>
<p>They need to add quality outside shooters this offseason, and McLemore would fit the billing. The guard has knocked down 36.3 percent of his career three-pointers on 4.3 attempts per game in nine years, which is serviceable and has helped him make a living. McLemore’s sharpshooting would help him fit like a glove with the Lakers, as he would thrive due to the open looks he would receive alongside LeBron James.</p>
<p>Financially, McLemore will likely be within LA’s range in free agency. Despite a solid year with the Blazers where he averaged 10.2 points and shot 36.2 percent from three, it would be hard to see the 29-year-old command anything significant in free agency.</p>
<p>Perhaps the thought of reuniting with James in Los Angeles could be an enticing thought for the former Laker as he ponders his next steps. While bringing McLemore in would not be a seismic signing by LA, it could help lessen the concerns surrounding the team’s subpar three-point shooting to some degree.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/25/los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-4/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 3 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-446358" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/25/los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-4/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F532015610.jpeg" alt="Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/532015610.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/532015610-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 17: LeBron James #23 and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talk at mid court in the first half against the Toronto Raptors in game one of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 17, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio, 3 Los Angeles Lakers free agent targets with ties to LeBron James. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3 Los Angeles Lakers free agent targets with ties to LeBron James: Kyrie Irving</h2>
<p>LeBron James and Kyrie Irving spent several years together with the Cleveland Cavaliers and even helped the franchise take home a title in 2016. The pair went their separate ways in what was an ugly split, but rumors are swirling that the Los Angeles Lakers may have some interest in bringing them together once again.</p>
<p>Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania <strong>(subscription required)</strong>, Irving, who is set to have a player option this offseason, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/25/los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-4/"https://theathletic.com/3373269/2022/06/20/nets-kyrie-irving-nba-news/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">is currently at an impasse with the Brooklyn Nets </a>in contract talks and could end up playing elsewhere if no resolution is found. Charania noted that LA is expected to be <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/25/los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-4/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/21/nba-trades-kyrie-irving-interest/" rel="">among the teams potentially interested</a> if that is the case, which is compelling.</p>
<p>Lakers fans would need little convincing as to why bringing Irving in would be a good idea for the purple and gold. The 30-year-old has been one of the best point guards in the entire association since he was drafted and reuniting him with James, who he has won with previously, would be a dream for most Laker fans.</p>
<p>Irving would be a much more seamless fit than Westbrook currently is at the point guard position as well, and if the team has the chance to make the swap, they would do it in a heartbeat, as it would make them far more formidable on impact.</p>
<p>Now, getting Irving to the Lakers is far easier said than done. If Irving were to opt-out of his deal with the Nets next season worth $36.5 million, he would have to take a significant pay cut to join the Lakers, which would pay him somewhere around $6 million in 2022-23.</p>
<p>Typically, some would say that there is no way Irving would even consider doing so, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski did report that <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/25/los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-4/"https://twitter.com/LakerCentral365/status/1539692563501817863" target="_blank" rel="noopener">it was not out of the realm of possibility</a> that the guard would do it. If the Lakers did ultimately land Irving on a one-year deal worth $6 million, that would be an incredible steal.</p>
<p>The entire situation is complicated for the Lakers, and it will be fascinating to see if anything does happen between Irving and LA or if this is just smoke as the guard tries to secure a long-term deal from the Nets this offseason. Nevertheless, if Irving opts out of his player option this offseason, he will be a worthwhile target for the Los Angeles Lakers without question.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="2 trades and 3 moves to help the Lakers on both ends" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/20/nba-trades-los-angeles-lakers-2/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/25/los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-4/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/06/20/nba-trades-los-angeles-lakers-2/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 2 trades and 3 moves to help the Lakers on both ends </a> </div>
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