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1 Player Every NBA Team Needs to Chase in 2020 Free Agency

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Los Angeles Lakers: Goran Dragic

Wracking my brain for a more creative option proved unsuccessful. Goran Dragic makes too much sense for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Stabilizing the half-court offense in LeBron James’ absence—and even during his minutes—continues to be an issue. Postseason Rajon Rondo is not a permanent cure-all. The Lakers ranked in the 24th percentile of half-court efficiency without LeBron during the regular season. They only cracked the 57th percentile with him.

Stocking the roster with more high-volume shooters would go a long way. Snagging a playmaker who also spaces the floor would go even further.

Dragic is the latter. He averaged 16.2 points and 5.1 assists per game during the regular season while putting down 50.5 percent of his twos, predominantly as a bench player. He’s fared even better as a starter in the playoffs, putting up 21.1 points and 4.7 assists per game while hitting 51.1 percent of his twos and 38.1 percent of his threes.

Playing him independent of LeBron would be a godsend for the offense. The same goes when they operate in tandem. Dragic has the touch to work off other ball-handlers—he’s converting 45.0 percent of his spot-up threes in the playoffs—and having that second half-court prober who isn’t reticent to finish possessions would only open more doors for LeBron.

Miami looms as the wild card in this discussion. Inking Dragic, 34, to a long-term deal is out of the question if 2021 cap space remains a priority. But if the Heat are OK punting on wiggle room now, they can offer him a near-max one-year deal that would equal roughly what he’d earn over three years at the full mid-level exception.

That’s not a pitch the Lakers can beat. They need Miami to head in a different direction for Dragic to fear he’ll be used as a salary anchor in a trade (though he’d have veto power if he signs a one-year deal using his Bird rights).

The path to Giannis Antetokounmpo joining the Los Angeles Lakers

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While it might seem completely far-fetched, there is a very reasonable path for Giannis Antetokounmpo to work his way to the Los Angeles Lakers next season or the one after. Rob Pelinka had a plan for the 2021 offseason and we might see it work into action at the conclusion of the ongoing playoffs.

Just as Pelinka and Magic were making the necessary moves to bring in LeBron James, they are seemingly making the necessary moves to bring in another big fish. Could that be Giannis? Only time will tell.

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Anthony Davis is a free agent after these playoffs wrap up and all indications are that he will re-sign in Los Angeles to a max deal. However, if he were to hold off for one year and simply sign a player option at a lesser dollar value for one more year, the Lakers would hold his Bird Rights and be able to go over the cap if Giannis signed after AD two summers from now.

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The Los Angeles Lakers with an AD-Giannis-LeBron would have their frontcourt set, but there would still be six spots or so to fill for a playoff rotation. They would likely all be ring chasers, but the idea that the Lakers maintain the Bird Rights of two key role players in Kyle Kuzma and Alex Caruso could make this more manageable for the Lakers.