After introducing the latest members (Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass and Lou Williams) of the purple-and-gold family on Wednesday, Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchack hinted at the possibility of bringing in another guard or two before training camp starts in September.
The Lakers, who have already spent most of their cap space to improve their roster, might have a hard time getting a productive backcourt player, especially this late into the free-agency period. But there's still a playmaker out there, who remains unsigned and might as well pique the interest of the Lakers top-brass.
After becoming an unexpected breakout star in the NBA Finals, Matthew Dellavedova is reportedly looking for significant pay-hike. According to Australian sports site the Roar, the Australian is eyeing a contract worth at least $2 million per season after earning roughly $800K last season.
With their luxury tax bill projected to reach $100 million, the Cavaliers are playing hard ball on their contract negotiation with free-agent. And although they have the Larry Bird rights to match any offer sheet, the Cavs could be in serious trouble retaining Dellavedova's service if another team pulled a tricky offer (such as a back-loaded contract or a deal with a trade-kicker) off their sleeves.
The Lakers, who still have a $2.8 million room exception thanks to Hibbert's decision not to exercise his $2.2 million trade bonus, could make a run at acquiring Dellavedova.
Averaging 4.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game (ESPN Stats), Dellavedova is far from being a polished offensive player and floor general. However, the 24-year old guard showed he can make things miserable, even for a potent scorer like Stephen Curry, with his rough playing style.
Dellavedova could be a perfect ball-stopper for Lakers after finishing 29th in points allowed per game (105.3 points) last season. Hibbert's acquisition might have given them a legit rim protector, but the Lakers can become a much better defensive unit if they add a rough-housing guard like Dellavedova into the mix.
The Western Conference are loaded with elite combo guards from top to bottom, and having a pest of a defender who has a knack in getting into someone's head is surely a valuable pick-up for any team.