It happens every off season. A few players who have been elite in one or more areas hit the age where the big deals do not exist for them. They have entered the dreaded, but essential for all parties involved, Vet Minimum era of their careers. Kobe avoided it by the grace of Mitch and Jim (and would have retired before he ever hit it, IMO, he didn’t need to go chasing rings. Happened to Mitch Richmond, got his ring as a minor part of the 2001-02 Lakers. Happened Dwight Howard. It happens. For teams like the Lakers that are looking at a high probability at having to hard cap themselves in order to improve the team, veteran minimum deals can be a lifeline to decent role-players. Let’s take a look at the 5 best we might be able to land.
- J.J. Reddick. Reddick has been linked to the Lakers and/or LeBron James for years and with good reason. He hits threes and he gets himself open to do so. Reddick is one of the old school shooters who can catch and shoot off of weak-side picks, standing still and has a mid-range game that translates to the playoffs. He may not be an elite defender but it’s not a career long weakness of his, he’s got some grit and grind to his game. Reddick will not have a shortage of offers this summer, literally every team needs some shooting off the bench, so if he’s on the Lakers’ radar they need to strike hot and fast. if someone offers him more than the vet minimum then good on them, Reddick and his agent.
- Carmelo Anthony. The only problem I see here is that we had ample time to secure Melo’s services when he was out of the Association. Carmelo may have cooled on becoming a Laker out of personal pride and respect. having said that, there’s still a spot on his trophy wall for a championship ring and the likelihood he wins one in Portland feels more and more distant. What better place to make it happen than alongside friend and fellow banana boater LeBron James? Melo would (likely) come off the bench so if there’s a team that offers him a starting role he may take that. A New York reunion isn’t out of the question and they could certainly (although unlikely) offer him more than the vet min. Melo brings shot making and gravitas to a team that needs both off the bench, he’s not a plus defender but he’s still one of the strongest players in the league and can hold his own.
- Tony Snell. If the Hawks don’t hold onto to Tony Snell the Lakers should try and snag him off the free agent market ASAP. Snell canned a ridiculous 56.9% of his three point shots last season. In case you’re wondering if that’s a one-season mirage, it’s not. The man is a shade under 40% for his career and isn’t a hole on defense which fits in with both the Lakers’ needs and identity. While it would be amazing if one of the teams with cap space that needs outside shooting a decent defender didn’t offer him something tastier than the vet minimum there are always a few players that either want to secure money and their next team early before the money dries up. Tony Snell and his agent should at least get a early morning call from the Rob Pelinka when free agency starts to gauge the interest with a vet minimum deal that expires in a couple days should they not jump at it.
- Paul Millsap. Is this the season Paul Millsap enters the realm of the veteran minimum deal? Could be. At 36 Paul still had a solid role on the Denver Nuggets and has been a huge part of their culture. Injuries, a reduced role and a desire to get younger/quicker could spell the end of his Nuggets tenure. If he does look for greener pastures the Lakers should come-a-calling. Millsap would be the perfect upgrade over Montrezl Harrell. Don’t get me wrong, I have a tremendous amount of appreciation for Trezz and the heart and energy he plays with but Millsap brings that plus better defense and an outside shot. While he is getting on in NBA years (15 years in the Association) and has had his share of injury-plagued seasons the Lakers would be the perfect spot for Paul to start the twilight of his career.
- Kent Bazemore. Reunited and it feeeeels so gooooood. This is a longshot, at only 32 Kent has some miles left in him but he’s right at that age where, if you haven’t been a part of a winner yet you might be looking at bad deals on bad teams. Kent could, maybe, in theory, hopefully, be looking to put some shine on his career and what better place than in Los Angeles where his rise began? A better defender than a lot of the three point specialists out there Kent has a solid all-around game that would fit in perfectly with the Lakers. He has solid defensive skills, a solid three point shot and can still get to the rim and score or make simple plays. It’s debatable whether this is Kent’s first year as a vet minimum player but if it is the Lakers could be the ideal fit.
Obviously there are plenty more potential vet minimum players out there, these are just my personal top five. What are yours?
What I still do not understand is how we can do this and that and get Westy at $44 Mil, but not Dame at $44 Mil. I do get that Portland wouldn’t do it, but it is possible right?
All quality choices to take a chance on,
Nope on Reddick (goint to the Nets because he lives in Brooklyn), lukewarm on Melo, Snell would be good, Milsap is done, Bazmore didn’t work out so well for us the first time so 11/2 out of 5 is pretty good. Snell, Alex Len, Harry Giles, Torrey Craig, and Boogie would be better. Would also think about Khem Birch, Trey Lyles, Patty Mills, Austin Rivers, and Otto Porter Jr. if he overplays his free-agent hand. We also need to have better scouting so that we too can get lucky on some prospects playing overseas or in the G-league. I grow tired of watching the Lakers whiff on guys like LakerTom and Vee’s favorite Jared Dudley, JR Smith, and Dion Waiters, while guys who make contributions like Christian Wood, Cameron Payne, Torrey Craig, Trey Burke, and Facundo Campazzo always get picked up by other teams.
Also keep an eye on one of Rob Pelinka’s former clients Dante Exum who is a UFA. If his career gets resurrected, it might just be with the Lakers.
Doubt Birch leaves Toronto now that they’ll likely get approval to play in Toronto again in the Fall…he will help sell tickets along with the 1st Round Pick…Marketing through the yin/yang for him as well…
Boogie is looking at his 5th kick at the Ring chaser crown. So…who knows…he really isn’t a viable defensive player anymore…
Yup Patty Mills and Rivers would be offensive padding..
I’d put those guys above Snell, Bazemore…
Restricted Free agency will be very interesting: John Collins, Lauri Markkanen, Lonzo Ball, Duncan Robinson, Gary Trent Jr., Malik Monk, Talen Horton-Tucker & Jarrett Allen.
J.J. might live in Brooklyn but his ring is waiting for him in LA. lol, J.J. will have his pick of vet minimum if someone doesn’t offer him a chunk of their MLE, which is kinda likely given his rep.
I’d take either Boogie or Millsap, we’re talking about guys 12-15 after all. Let Paul do the Rondo thing in the regular season: prepare for the offseason. Much better defensively than Cousins, Boogie has more offense. I’d take either over Dudley.
Melo can still ball from all over and even iso when called upon to do so. Not many guys on the list can do that. I’ve never really been a an Austin Rivers fan, always felt like Jordan Farmar (I’m so good, I should be the lead guy…hey…how’d I end up at the end of the bench, Dad?!). I’d take Melo over Khem. I don’t se Torey leaving Phoenix for the vet min. Just as likely they’d offer him that and keep a decent piece in-house.
I had Exum on my list for a hot minute but I have a hard time seeing him not getting a better role elsewhere. You never know though, the Pelinka connection shouldn’t be ignored.
Patty Mills is a good one, hard for me not to see him as a Spur so feels like if he vet minimumed anywhere it’d be there. Otto would be a coup. Not sure that’s a real possibility.
Man, can’t wait for the free agency and see what we got.
Everyone you mentioned gets me itchy, you feel me? And there is more to include in the list.
As long as we are a better 3-point shooting team I am all good. We can’t afford to rank in the bottom 5 in 3-point shooting as we did this past season. That was just a horrible season in terms of shooting.
The first two days are always really exciting but then the game of $$$ musical chairs begins which, in some ways, is even more compelling. Akin to the buyout deadline: who is going to end up where?!?!?!
Jamie, thanks for an excellent Fiver subject.
Good selection of five under-the-radar vet minimum candidates. Regardless of the path the Lakers choose to rebuild, we’re going to need a lot of these guys. In fact, if you look at how these playoffs went, vet minimum players were big factors in many series due to the injuries to stars.
1. JJ Redick – Definitely a proven clutch volume shooter.
2. Carmelo Anthony – Can still get his own shot any time.
3. Tony Snell – Can never have enough 3-point shooters.
4. Paul Milsap – Can play small ball stretch five.
5. Kent Bazemore – Always good 3&D player.
Other candidates the Lakers should certainly pursue:
1. Markieff Morris – Still invaluable piece for Lakers.
2. Boogie – Still capable of stretching defenses.
3. This year’s crop of Buyout Market candidates