Evan Turner and Kent Bazemore (Photo : The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers could consider less-splashy signing this summer, with the league's top free agents quickly becoming unavailable for the 16-time NBA champs.
The Lakers are very well on their way to miss out in signing any of this year's top free agents. With top targets like Kevin Durant and Hassan Whiteside most likely to head elsewhere, the Lakers could look into signing key players like Evan Turner and Kent Bazemore, who could be essential pieces for their bid to become relevant in the NBA map once again.
According to Sporting News' Sean Deveney, the Lakers are among the teams interested in acquiring the services of Turner, who appeared as one of the most pursued wing this summer.
"Turner has been expected to be wooed by the Knicks and his hometown team, the Bulls. But the Pelicans, Mavericks, Lakers and Grizzlies are also preparing to bid for Turner, the source said," Deveney noted.
Turner, though listed as shooting guard, could become the Lakers' top option at the small forward position if Luke Walton decides to field a small-ball lineup. The 27-year-old, who averaged 10.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists with the Boston Celtics last season, has not been known for his defensive abilities, but at 6-foot-7, he could guard multiple positions and cause mismatches on smaller guards.
On the other hand, the Lakers are also interested in another small forward in Bazemore, who had a breakthrough season with the Atlanta Hawks, averaging 11.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Bazemore is among the second-tier players the Lakers are considering in free agency.
"Lakers priorities in free agency were shooting & rim protection. Among names I've heard interest in: Ryan Anderson, Parsons, Batum, Bazemore, Tyler Zeller," Shelburne wrote.
Bazemore, who played for the Lakers before joining the Hawks a couple of years ago, would be an intriguing addition to the Lakers, having the ideal skillset to flourish under Luke Walton's system. As a three-and-D guy, Bazemore could add outside shooting, as well as a very decent defense the Lakers sorely lacked last season.
Turner and Bazemore would be solid acquisitions the Lakers may consider as they attempt to surround their young core with young veterans. With the Lakers having a cap space north of $60 million, money talks should not be an issue for Los Angeles, although there would certainly be competition for the Lakers in landing Turner and Bazemore.
