Lakers News: Why LA May Have To Settle On Vet Minimum Signings Outside Of Stars
The Los Angeles Lakers are no strangers when it comes to having to bring out the Brink's trucks once free agency rolls around. They have become accustomed to going over the cap, paying luxury taxes, and really doing whatever it takes to not only win but also have some of the most popular players in the league.
Hollywood's lifestyle comes with playing for the Lakers and that is a big reason why the Russell Westbrook trade happened in the first place two seasons ago. The fit was always questionable but throwing him on a billboard next to AD and LeBron James and selling tickets? It was a move made to profit for the team.
But now that Westbrook is finally off of LA's roster, they have a number of options this offseason as to how they want to spread out that cap space. Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura have already been listed as their top priorities so let's assume they get paid... How will the rest of the ream look like?
Reaves is the x-factor here because he's expressed that would love to remain in the purple and gold but is also looking to make as much money as possible. Teams like Houston and Detroit could offer him big contracts and roles on their squad that LA will have to match if they want to bring him back.
Pair that with the deals that their two superstars are on and there isn't a whole lot of money left, especially if Hachimura signs the reported three-year, $40 million deal that he is looking for.
Therefore, vet minimums may just be the best options for the Lakers to fill out the rest of their team with.
"In an ideal world for Los Angeles, they sign the undrafted combo guard to the four-year deal north of $50 million its limited to offering, which would allow the Lakers to still have access to the $12.2 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception and the bi-annual exception worth roughly $4.5 million, and then fill out the rest of the roster with veteran minimums in addition to re-signing Hachimura and Russell with Bird rights. If another team swoops in and offers Reaves above that threshold, it will hamstring Los Angeles’ efforts to not just bring this group back, but add to it while remaining under the second apron."
(Via Yahoo Sports)
Rob Pelinka, it will ultimately be your call as to how this team looks moving forward!
