Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli (Photo : Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers hiring of Luke Walton could lead to the signing of top free agents available in this summer's market.
The Lakers have made a huge move to get the team back to its glorious days by hiring Luke Walton as LA's next head coach. The move signifies the Lakers' serious intention to once become relevant in the NBA map, but Walton is not only expected to guide the team next season, but also become Tinsel Town's "recruiter-in-chief," according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News.
"That appears to be the No. 1 priority," a league source told Sporting News. "It's not just finding a guy to work with what's on the roster. They need a coach who can pitch players."
Walton may never had any experience being a head coach, but his remarkable stint with the Golden State Warriors as assistant coach and his youthful regime on the sidelines could play a part in attracting free agents to play for the Lakers. Two upcoming free agents that could possibly be in the team's list are someone who know Walton's playbooks well.
Deveney claimed in another report that should the Lakers miss out on top free agents like OKC Thunder superstar Kevin Durant, the team would chase after Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli instead.
"The Warriors have two key free agents this summer, forward Harrison Barnes and center Festus Ezeli, and either or both could come available if Golden State makes a big push to sign Durant. The Lakers would have them as targets should Durant pass," Deveney noted.
Barnes and Ezeli would be a perfect fit for the Lakers at the three and five spot, two of the positions the team needs to address this season.
Barnes would certainly be an upgrade over any of the small forward the Lakers have in the past season. The 23-year-old only averaged 11.7 points per game on 46.6 percent shooting, but he could have more touches with the Lakers compared to a Warriors team who have Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson as their go-to-scorers.
Ezeli, on the other hand, would bring athleticism and interior defense to the Lakers, replacing Roy Hibbert, who also hits free agency in July. The 26-year-old Nigerian displayed the potential to be a starting center in the past season while averaging 7.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, while only playing 16.7 minutes off the bench.
However, Barnes and Ezeli will come off the Warriors books as restricted free agents, which means the defending champs will have the chance to match any offer sheets given to both players.
Barnes and Ezeli would probably seek max contracts in July, when teams have plenty of money to spend on free agents, thanks to the NBA's new TV deal. But with the Warriors only having limited cap space to pursue free agents, there is a growing sense Barnes and Ezeli, if they really intend to look for max deals, would play for another team next season.
