The Los Angeles Lakers will have some of the most money to spend in this upcoming free agency which makes them primed to sign some of the top names to pair with Kobe Bryant and Julius Randle who are expected to return to full health next season. Losing a good bit of their roster to free agency while also considering trades of others, the Lakers will target marquee players with contracts. So which players are worth max contracts and who is not?
According to Shams Charania of RealGM.com, the Lakers already have a max contract planned for Jimmy Butler should he leave the Chicago Bulls. Preparing to be a restricted free agent in the summer, the Lakers will offer a max deal in hopes Chicago does not match it. The two sides have been battling on a contract extension leaving Butler to turn down an offer in October prior to the season starting. According to the Chicago Tribune, Butler prefers to remain with the Bulls, but will not turn down a max offer.
Could Goran Dragic also be a max contract player? According to the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers were favored to make a run at Rajon Rondo, but might be souring on the idea after his tension-filled stint with the Dallas Mavericks. Goran Dragic would be the next top option, but is he a max contract player? Last season, Dragic was considered one of the top point guards available which is why the Miami Heat made a trade for him in the middle of the year.
According to the Palm Beach Post, the Heat want to keep Dragic and the point guard says the feeling is mutual. Prior to the loss of Chris Bosh, the Heat were poised to make a solid postseason run and Dragic was a big part of that. The point guard is ready to get his top contract which would be five years and $110 million which is what the Heat can offer and Dragic is hopeful Miami is the one to put forth the money.
"As long as I'm in a happy environment and a healthy organization, that's the most important thing," Dragic said. "The next three, four, five years - I want to spend it on this kind of team, like the Miami Heat. They have great players, great coaching staff and great training staff."
The Lakers have plenty of options in front of them. Trades for players like Nick Young and Jordan Clarkson have been discussed while Jordan Hill is expected to return. Los Angeles needs to replace the size of Carlos Boozer along with shooting around Bryant and Randle. Greg Monroe, Paul Millsap and potentially Brook Lopez remain on the wish list as well. This summer is expected to be to be a busy one for the franchise.