Los Angeles Lakers: Early look at top 2019 NBA free agency targets
Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images
3. Marc Gasol, C, Memphis Grizzlies (player option)
Yes, JaVale McGee has far exceeded expectations so far this season. The Lakers may even decide to re-sign him if he continues at his current level of play. For now, though, I think it’s best to consider other options for Los Angeles’ future at center.
And boy, what a tantalizing option Marc Gasol would be.
The Lakers have already benefited greatly from having one Gasol brother on the roster. Why not reacquire Marc, who was actually traded to bring his big brother to Los Angeles, now that he’s developed into one of the most well-rounded and offensively effective centers in the NBA?
While McGee has proven to be an exceptional rebounder and rim protector, Gasol brings far more value on the offensive end. On top of being a reliable outside shooter, he’s a tremendous passer for his position like the other Gasol was. His presence in the paint would give the Lakers a quality rim protector and glass cleaner, as well as a perfect complement to LeBron.
Gasol isn’t going to come cheap, but the Lakers should have more than enough cap space to get him under contract. If McGee departs and Magic is confident in Gasol’s ability to handle everything he wants out of his center, then this pairing makes perfect sense.
<span class="call_to_action">More:</span> Offseason moves already paying dividends for Lakers </a> </div>
</div>
<p>Enough blabbering on, though. Let’s jump right into the Lakers’ top 2019 NBA free agency targets you need to have on your mind as we work our way through the 2018-19 campaign.</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/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Gasol </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_329735" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="size-large wp-image-329735" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1056592540-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>3. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gasolma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Marc Gasol</a>, C, Memphis Grizzlies (player option)</h3>
<p>Yes, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcgeeja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">JaVale McGee</a> has far exceeded expectations so far this season. The Lakers may even decide to re-sign him if he continues at his current level of play. For now, though, I think it’s best to consider other options for Los Angeles’ future at center.</p>
<p>And boy, what a tantalizing option Marc Gasol would be.</p>
<p>The Lakers have already benefited greatly from having one Gasol brother on the roster. Why not reacquire Marc, who was actually traded to bring his big brother to Los Angeles, now that he’s developed into one of the most well-rounded and offensively effective centers in the NBA?</p>
<p>While McGee has proven to be an exceptional rebounder and rim protector, Gasol brings far more value on the offensive end. On top of being a reliable outside shooter, he’s a tremendous passer for his position like the other Gasol was. His presence in the paint would give the Lakers a quality rim protector and glass cleaner, as well as a perfect complement to LeBron.</p>
<p>Gasol isn’t going to come cheap, but the Lakers should have more than enough cap space to get him under contract. If McGee departs and Magic is confident in Gasol’s ability to handle everything he wants out of his center, then this pairing makes perfect sense.</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/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Leonard </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_329736" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="size-large wp-image-329736" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1057639090-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>2. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/leonaka01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kawhi Leonard</a>, SF, Toronto Raptors (player option)</h3>
<p>Right now, Kawhi Leonard is a complete mystery. Everyone seems to assume he’s open and eager to playing with the Lakers, but something tells me he’s far from a lock to even leave the Toronto Raptors.</p>
<p>Still, he belongs on this list.</p>
<p>Could you imagine a lineup that included James, Leonard and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ingrabr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Brandon Ingram</a>? That would make any opponent uncomfortable. The three are all elite or have the potential to be elite, and would make life miserable for any defender stuck trying to keep them from running up the score.</p>
<p>At this moment, though, anything could happen with Leonard. Maybe he decides to stay put up in Canada. Or maybe he decides to join the Lakers. How about he shocks the world and joins the Los Angeles Clippers, flipping Magic the bird as he signs his contract with the Lakers’ crosstown rivals? It seems as though there are endless possibilities when it comes to Kawhi’s future.</p>
<p>If the Lakers get an opportunity to make their pitch, though, they’ll roll out the red carpet for Leonard. He’d bring a championship pedigree, elite defense and another MVP candidate to a roster that featured starters like <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kellyry01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Ryan Kelly</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sacrero01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Robert Sacre</a> only a few seasons ago.</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/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Durant </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_329737" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="size-large wp-image-329737" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1057676940-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1057676940-850x560.jpeg 850w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1057676940-768x507.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images</p>
</div>
</div>
<h3>1. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kevin Durant</a>, SF, Golden State Warriors (player option)</h3>
<p>I truly believe this is the free agent Lakers fans are praying the team gets in 2019. Then again, it makes perfect sense considering Kevin Durant is arguably the best player in the NBA right now.</p>
<p>In fact, there’s already been plenty of rumors and speculation on the matter.</p>
<p>We’ve heard of numerous connections between James and Durant in recent months, from a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"http://www.tmz.com/2018/07/19/lebron-james-kevin-durant-los-angeles-lakers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">casual rooftop dinner</a> to <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"https://twitter.com/ScoopB/status/1041763895122305024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plots being hatched</a> behind closed doors. While it’s obviously difficult to tell reality from rumor fodder, there appears to be smoke. And usually where there’s smoke, there’s fire.</p>
<p>For now, though, let’s just consider him a person of interest for the Lakers. First, he would need to actually make himself available instead of simply re-signing with the Golden State Warriors. There still seems to be a good chance that happens, so I wouldn’t start ordering your purple and gold Durant jersey just yet.</p>
<p>Realistically though, the Lakers have a decent shot at landing him. Teaming him with James would make for a dangerous duo, and the two are clearly comfortable together. With the Warriors facing some serious luxury tax issues in the coming years, Durant may decide to simply take his talents elsewhere before the difficult financial decisions come for Golden State.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="The 50 greatest NBA players of all time (updated for 2017-18)" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2018/09/21/nba-50-greatest-players-time/" 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/2018/11/09/los-angeles-lakers-early-look-at-top-2019-nba-free-agency-targets/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2018/09/21/nba-50-greatest-players-time/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> The 50 greatest NBA players of all time (updated for 2017-18) </a> </div>
</div>
<p>For now, consider Durant the Lakers’ top free agent target. Don’t get your hopes too high, though.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
