The Los Angeles Lakers put the NBA on notice this offseason by re-signing and adding top free agents to their roster. More recently, they were able to sign Christian Wood and, earlier in the offseason, former Heat guard Gabe Vincent. However, there remain three free agents the Lakers should still consider signing.
Let’s dive in and look at the three free agents that could make sense for Los Angeles.
Austin Rivers
One of the critical issues last season for the Lakers was outside shooting and solid guard play. They ranked 25th in the league in team three-point shooting at 34.5% and were middle of the pack in assists with 25.3 a game. Those two areas can be improved with the addition of Austin Rivers.
Rivers last played with the Minnesota Timberwolves. His best season to date was with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2017-2018, where he had career highs in points, assists, and three-point shooting. He averaged 15 points and four assists and shot the three at nearly 38%.
The 31-year-old can be a great addition due to his ability to create shots for himself and others and being a savvy veteran. The fact that he is a career 43.5% shooter from the field and 35% from the three would allow the Lakers to spread the court.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Austin Rivers & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Rivers would also be great for the team because he doesn’t demand the ball much. Furthermore, he would be a good leader for the young guards on the team, especially because he is already familiar with D’Angelo Russell from his time with the Timberwolves.
Bismack Biyombo
The Lakers struggled on the defensive end last season. They were ranked 16th in the league in blocks. That is where Bismack Biyombo could offer his services and be a solid off-the-bench player in limited minutes.
Biyombo averaged a career-high 1.8 blocks per game in his first two seasons. More recently, with the Phoenix Suns, he averaged 1.4 blocks per game. He had five blocks in three different games last season, which shows his ability to protect the paint.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Bismack Biyombo & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The Lakers are well aware of Anthony Davis’ struggles to stay healthy throughout an 82-game season, along with his desire to play more at the four spot. They now have other players who can step in place of him, and Biyombo could be an added depth to the center position. Although undersized, he can still contribute, and the Lakers wouldn’t have to break the bank to sign him.
Terrence Ross
As mentioned earlier, the Lakers were abysmal in three-point shooting and sometimes struggled to find a spark off the bench. The rise of Austin Reaves seemed to help in key moments, but one guy who can get you buckets and get hot from deep is Terrence Ross.
Ross is an athletic 6-foot-6 guard who shoots the ball well and has been a consistent scorer in the NBA. Mainly coming off the bench since his stint with the Toronto Raptors, he has averaged a solid 11 points per game for his career. Additionally, he shoots the ball at 41% and, more importantly, 36% from the three. He produced two performances with at least six made 3s, so he can be streaky, but when he gets hot, it’s hard to stop him.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Terrence Ross & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
The 13-year veteran is looking for a new home after more recently playing with the Phoenix Suns. The high-flying 2013 slam dunk contest champion would be a great addition to the Lakers. He still has the athleticism to run the break and can be a great rotational player who can stretch the court in the half-court game.
The Lakers have a solid roster heading into the 2023-2024 season, spearheaded by LeBron James and Davis. However, it wouldn’t hurt to look into adding the three free agents mentioned above in their quest for another championship in the decade.
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