By now, it's no secret that the Lakers are in desperate need of a big offseason with very little wiggle room in terms of cap space and valuable assets.
Starting with their salary cap, the Lakers have -$53.4 million in cap space for next season, according to Spotrac. It doesn't take a cap expert to realize that is... not ideal. It also means Los Angeles will only be able to sign free agents for the veteran minimum unless it is using its $6.3 million midlevel exception, $2.7 million trade exception or $1.7 million trade exception.
That leaves a condensed list of impactful players the Lakers could sign in hopes of plugging the right pieces around superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
MORE: Ranking the 25 best NBA free agents in 2022
What types of players does Los Angeles need around James and Davis, you ask? Perimeter shooting and versatile defense.
Last season, the Lakers ranked in the bottom half of the league in 3s per game while falling in the bottom 10 in 3-point percentage. Their defense also fell off a cliff (mostly because of Davis' lack of availability due to injuries), also ranking in the bottom 10 in the league.
Given their spending limitations, who could the Lakers target in free agency to address those needs?
Note: This list does not include the possibility of re-signing free agents currently on the roster like Malik Monk or Dwight Howard.
Potential Lakers free agent targets
Guards
Victor Oladipo | Unrestricted free agent | Age: 30
Oladipo has been plagued by injuries but started to show signs of being a capable scorer and defender again as he got more comfortable after his return this past season. If Oladipo was willing to take a "prove it" deal with the Lakers, he would certainly play a bigger role than he did in Miami and receive plenty of attention playing alongside LeBron and co.
Gary Payton II | Unrestricted free agent | Age: 29
Payton was one of the unsung heroes of the Warriors' championship season as a lockdown perimeter defender and energy guy. The Lakers could use a jack-of-all-trades-type player like Payton, who would give Los Angeles an instant boost in a huge area of need.
Patty Mills | Player option worth $6.2 million | Age: 33
Mills is a solid option for the Lakers if he opts out of his final year in Brooklyn. The veteran sharpshooter knocked down 40 percent of his 3-point attempts last season and adds the type of championship swagger the Lakers are looking for.
Bryn Forbes | Unrestricted free agent | Age: 28
Forbes would be a great option for the Lakers as a perimeter shooter. He doesn't do much other than shoot, but he's buried 41.3 percent of his 3-point attempts over his six-year NBA career and he'd space the floor for playmakers like James and Russell Westbrook.
Gary Harris | Unrestricted free agent | Age: 27
It's unclear how much Harris has left in the tank, even at 27 years old. With an extensive injury history, Harris has only played over 60 games three times in his eight-year career, but he did appear in 61 games for the Magic last season. He shot the 3-ball with more consistency – knocking down 38 percent of his attempts – and could find a great opportunity to prove himself again in Los Angeles.
Forwards
Derrick Jones Jr. | Unrestricted free agent | Age: 25
Jones isn't a consistent shooter but he's coming off of a career-best 32.8 percent shooting from deep last season in Chicago. This would be a younger free agency option for the Lakers, who could use Jones' defensive versatility, athleticism and energy.
Nicolas Batum | Unrestricted free agent | Age: 33
Batum was as solid as can be for the Clippers last year and in this scenario, he wouldn't even have to move. The veteran forward can play and defend multiple positions, and he shot 40.0 percent from 3 last season. If the Lakers can pry him away from their in-town rivals, they should.
Taurean Prince | Unrestricted free agent | Age: 28
Prince is another versatile defender and solid perimeter shooter who is on the younger side for free agent options. The 28-year-old is a career 37 percent 3-point shooter and can defend on the wing or take on bigger forwards in the paint.
Cody and Caleb Martin | Restricted free agents | Age: 26
Grouping the Martin twins together here because they have nearly identical contract situations and relatable skill sets. Both Cody and Caleb are set to hit restricted free agency and shouldn't command too much money. Cody hit 38 percent of his 3s last season while Caleb converted 41 percent. They both take pride on the defensive end, bring energy to the glass and are solid playmakers. If the Lakers could shake one of the Martin twins free of their current situation, it would be a helpful addition.
Amir Coffey | Restricted free agent | Age: 25
Coffey played himself out of a two-way contract and into a fully guaranteed contract with the Clippers last season. He proved to be a versatile and switchy defender while providing some scoring and playmaking chops for a 6-foot-7 wing. At 25, the Lakers could use that type of flexible potential on their roster.
Centers
JaVale McGee | Unrestricted free agent | Age: 34
McGee was on the Lakers' 2020 NBA championship team and could return this offseason to provide some frontcourt depth. Last season, he proved he still has something left in the tank by averaging 9.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
Tristan Thompson | Unrestricted free agent | Age: 31
Thompson also has familiarity with LeBron, winning a championship together with the Cavaliers in 2016. Four Finals runs with James should be enough for the Lakers to consider his talents for frontcourt depth in free agency.
