Free agency hasn’t started yet, but the Los Angeles Lakers have already lost by a goal in the offseason. The NBA’s free agency didn’t officially start until June 30, but the Lakers were reportedly interested in acquiring the Timberwolves’ backup center Naz Reid, but he’s now out of the market.
While the Lakers had little need at the center, Reid emerged as one of the best backup players in the league. Had he joined the Lakers, he would have formed a powerful frontcourt that included LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but he will remain in Minnesota after agreeing to a friendly deal with the team.
He was not expected to be kept by the Wolves due to an expensive front yard that includes Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, both of whom will make a combined $77 million next season. Fortunately for them and unfortunately for Los Angeles, Reed agreed Affordable 3-year deal worth only $42 millionless than many expected in a free agency get.
Why did Reid take less to be a Minnesota backup over a starting prospect with the Lakers?
One of the reasons is that Reid may not be the backup center for a long time. with Rumors that cities will be circulatingRetaining Reed would give the Wolves a much cheaper replacement who, while not as talented, is still very good, not to mention three years younger than him. Another reason is that the free agency market for centers looks bleak.
Most teams already have a starting big man, and some teams that needed a promotion (such as Boston, Dallas, and San Antonio) got one in trades or in free agency. Even worse, the few teams seeking cap space don’t have a big enough need to shell out $15 million a season to sign Reed, and if they do, some may go after free agent center Jakob Poeltl instead.
The Lakers might have been an option, but it wasn’t clear they could offer him big money. After all, they could technically open up space for cover, but they would basically have to give up most of their free agents, like D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley. This will open other holes in their roster, especially in guarding. As a result, Reid took the $42 million option, and who can blame him after he was ill-prepared to launch his career?
With Reid off the market and Kyrie Irving looking likely to re-sign in Dallas, the Lakers may be better suited to bring back most of their free agents. It may not sound all that exciting, but they went 17-9 at the post-trading deadline last season, which equals 54 wins.
That doesn’t mean they’ll win 63% of their games next season, but it does indicate that this team is good enough for a high seed, not to mention beating 51-win Memphis in the playoffs. In the end, while the Lakers didn’t miss out on signing a free agent target, they do have a good plan for next season.
- Posted on 06/26/2023 at 16:00 PM
- Last updated on 06/26/2023 at 07:36 AM