In the quest to score an NBA title anew, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Anthony Davis for pairing with LeBron James. But there is more work for the front office to do and the first thing is to replenish the Lakers lineup and make it capable of supporting the James-Davis tandem. L.A. is gunning for the championship and it requires new talents.
Or more appropriately, the team needs the tried-and-tested kind of players that will boost its bid to reverse the slide in the past years. The Davis deal left the Lakers little room to acquire another All-Star though there were talks of bringing in Kyrie Irving. That happening will depend on how or when the Davis trade will be finalized.
In any event, it's best to look for alternatives and according to CBS Sports, there are tons to choose from in the roster of non-max free agents. In terms of affordability, any of the talents the Lakers will pick from the pool will not break the bank. Best of all, any of the players will make for a formidable basketball team.
Bojan Bogdanovic is a potent force both in the offensive and defensive departments. In the last season, Bogdanovic emerged as the main man for the Indiana Pacers, which could mean that he will cost more than expected. But his presence in L.A. will surely add more depth to a lineup that is now considered as the team to watch come Season 2019-20.
If the Lakers would want a reliable role-player, the 6'9" Marcus Morris would be a good pick. Per Franchise Reports, "Morris has grown into one of the NBA's more reliable role-players and a solid defender all over the court." Morris is a veteran that is willing to come off the bench when called upon, which is just perfect for Lakers' present requirements.
Then there is Terrence Ross, who the Lakers eyed for possible trade last season. Playing with the Orlando Magic, Ross flourished and is considered at a peak level of his career. He shines most in the defensive area and like Morris is hot and ready when summoned from the bench.
But if the recruitment plan by the Lakers is focused on championship experience, Danny Green's resume is hard to ignore. He played a key role in Toronto Raptors' feat of denying a three-peat for the Golden State Warriors and likely to do the same should L.A. wants to bring him to the fold. Something to consider though is that Green has a freshly-minted NBA ring, which means he holds an asking price that is higher than a regular non-max agent.
Lastly and admittedly a wild card is DeMarcus Cousins, who once played with AD. Cousins last suited up for the Warriors and like the Lakers, he is hungry for a title. He proved that he can deliver quality minutes from the bench and should have no problem replicating it if given a spot in L.A. The prospect of earning an NBA ring with a solid team should drive both the Lakers and Cousins to arrive at a mutually beneficial deal.
