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The Los Angeles Lakers made the biggest move of the offseason so far with the Russell Westbrook trade. Westbrook’s arrival will impact Lakers offseason targets in 2021.
Los Angeles sent Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Wizards in the deal. They have over $120 million committed to just Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Rob Pelinka has to get smart in this Lakers offseason. Los Angeles has a long way to go to fill out their roster.
Lakers offseason targets 2021
There were already big questions to answer. Skepticism over Westbrook’s fit with Davis and James is fair. The Lakers have constructed a legitimate big three, but if anything, this trade has created more problems for Pelinka and co to address.
It’s going to be bargain shopping for the Lakers, barring a wild sign-and-trade involving Dennis Schroder.
Here are three low-cost veterans they should target in the 2021 offseason.
Wayne Ellington
Shooting over 42% from three last season, Wayne Ellington is an ideal fit on the wing. The 33-year-old is going to have no shortage of suitors, though, with other contenders like the Bucks and Sixers also desperate for a shooter of his ilk.
A journeyman with over $45 million in career earnings, Ellington would have to settle for a minimum deal with the Lakers. Players will take less many to play for a contender, and that’s what the Lakers have to rely on here.
Ellington to the Lakers makes sense for both parties, though he’ll likely have a smaller role than when he last played for the team in 2014/15.
Dewayne Dedmon
Westbrook’s arrival surely means more minutes for Davis at the five. Marc Gasol remains on the roster to provide floor spacing and playmaking. Los Angeles will still be looking for another center, however, and Dewayne Dedmon could fit that bill.
Dedmon gave the Heat some solid minutes down the stretch last season. He’s added a three-point shot over the last few years, even shooting 38.2% on 3.4 attempts for the Hawks 2018/19.
A third-string center isn’t exactly going to change everything for the Lakers, but Dedmon is a decent fit and provides some insurance against injuries to Gasol and Davis.
J.J. Redick
The 2020/21 campaign was a lost one for J.J. Redick. It became a messy situation in New Orleans, and he only appeared in 13 games for the Dallas Mavericks. Redick is far from finished, despite a disrupted year or so.
Redick is 17th all-time in career three-point percentage. He’s just one season removed from averaging 15 points per game for the Pelicans.
He’d be coming off the bench for the Lakers, but if he’s willing to take a minimum deal, Redick would have a massive impact on the Lakers’ spacing. He’s not just a great shooter, he’s a great movement shooter, which would open up a lot of options for Los Angeles on the offensive end.
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