Dragan Bender (Photo : EB via Getty Images)
The LA Lakers will be one of the most active players in the offseason because they could be major players in both the draft and free agency.
The Tinseltown team could have the most available cap space in the entire league and they also have the no.2 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
The Lakers have glaring holes in their roster and they have different means to fill it, which is why there is a possibility that they may deviate from choosing the consensus top two draft prospects, Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram.
The need for a center was expressed by no less than Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak as he mentioned in NBA.com.
"We need a big," Kupchak bluntly stated. "Jordan [Clarkson] is a free agent and we'd like to sign him. D'Angelo [Russell], we're very high on, and we have Lou Williams. I think we're more set in the backcourt than the frontcourt. Two days after the Lottery, that's where we are. In six weeks, we'll see."
While Simmons is listed as a power forward in College, he is more of a playmaker, quite similar in skill set with the incumbent Julius Randle. Also, there is a big possibility that the Sixers take him off the board with the top overall pick.
Thus, Dan Favale of Bleacher Report opened the idea of the Lakers throwing a curveball and taking Dragan Bender with the no.2 pick.
"If the Lakers feel they can fill the small forward slot over the summer on the market and Simmons is in Philly (as anticipated), rolling the dice on Bender will become a viable option. Ingram would then slip to Boston." The last line is probably the most compelling reason for the Lakers not to do this, but they may have to.
The Lakers have been linked to various free agent small forwards. They are said to have a strong case for DeMar DeRozan who hails from Compton, near LA. Despite his denials, the rumblings continue to link him with LA.
Another prospect is Harrison Barnes of the Golden State Warriors. While he is a restricted free agent whom the Warriors can elect to keep, a max contract may be too much for the team to justify. While the financial aspect can be covered by Barnes' Bird Rights, being paid above Draymond Green and Klay Thompson (and for the coming season, MVP Steph Curry) may seem uneasy for the club.
Both DeRozan and Barnes could end up on the Lakers roster as they have enough cap space to max them. Ingram would then be redundant, and the Lakers would find it necessary to trade him-which would take away their leverage.
If the Lakers already have a pre-arranged agreement with DeRozan, Barnes or even any other veteran swingman, they can shop the no.2 pick now or engage in draft day trade. If they can't find a worthy partner, they should probably pick Bender.
