We are a month away from the NBA commerce deadline, however as of January fifth, groups can now signal gamers to 10-day contracts. The Lakers are one group beginning to discover the present free-agent market.
With Anthony Davis nonetheless out indefinitely, the Lakers reportedly are bringing in former All-Star massive man Demarcus Cousins. Cousins final performed for the Denver Nuggets within the 2021-22 season, averaging 8.9 factors a recreation. Myles Leonard has not performed since January of 2021 with the Heat.
Injuries have performed an element in Leonard’s absence, however he additionally confronted backlash for racist remarks he made on a Twitch stream. Leonard apologized and claimed he didn’t know what the phrase meant, however he had not seen the court docket in two years.
Other out there gamers will help groups as we get nearer to the playoffs. Here are the highest 5 free brokers that would assist bolster group’s playoff runs.
DJ Augustin
The 35-year-old level guard has performed for 11 groups in his 14 seasons. He final performed for the Lakers above within the 2021-22 season. Even although he solely averaged a bit over 5 factors a recreation final season, he nonetheless shot over 41 % from 3-point vary (a bit over three makes an attempt per recreation) in his time with the Lakers and Houston Rockets.
Augustin can nonetheless assist run a second unit and knock down open photographs from deep, which is one thing any playoff group can use off the bench. No, Augustin will not be a flashy title or will exit and rating 25 factors, however he’ll assist stabilize a group bench unit and generally is a spot starter if wanted.
Demarcus Cousins
As I discussed, Cousins has a exercise scheduled with the Lakers on Friday. Cousins averaged 9.0 factors and 5.6 rebounds final 12 months in 31 video games for the Nuggets. Cousins confirmed he nonetheless had some gasoline within the tank as he performed in all 5 of the Nuggets playoff video games vs. the Warriors.
Cousins had one in every of his finest video games of the season within the Nuggets recreation 5 loss to the Warriors. Cousin scored 19 factors in solely quarter-hour of play and pulled down 4 rebounds. With their lack of depth at heart, the Lakers may use a participant like Cousins, who sometimes can nonetheless offer you strong minutes off the bench.
Ben McLemore
Teams can by no means have sufficient of 1 ability set, which is capturing. With groups routinely placing up 40 3s a recreation, capturing is at all times at a premium. Ben McLemore will not make any highlights on the court docket’s defensive finish and typically is a legal responsibility, however he can unfold the ground.
Last 12 months whereas enjoying for the Portland Trailblazers, McLemore shot .362 from deep on 6.5 makes an attempt per recreation. McLemore performed 64 video games final 12 months for the Blazers and was a starter for six of these video games.
McLemore averaged 16.1 factors over the ultimate 14 video games of the season. McLemore had a few 28-point video games final 12 months, and in each of these video games, he made eight 3-pointers. A streaky shooter who can shoot you into some video games and out of others.
Carmelo Anthony
The future Hall of Famer has bounced across the league during the last a number of years. Anthony has performed for six completely different groups over his nearly 20-year profession. Anthony could not offer you a lot on the defensive finish, however his willingness to come back off the bench and the actual fact he’s nonetheless an excellent shooter from deep has prolonged his profession.
Last 12 months in 69 video games for the Lakers final 12 months, Anthony shot .375 from 3-point vary after capturing over 40 % for the Blazers the earlier season. Anthony can nonetheless present scoring off the bench for a playoff group, even in lowered minutes.
Here is Carmelo saying he nonetheless believes he can contribute within the NBA
Of course, his mid-range scoring continues to be there as he has modified his recreation over time to extra of a 3-point shooter; he can nonetheless rating within the mid-post with the most effective of them. At 38, Anthony nonetheless has sufficient left to contribute to a group, even when meaning he’s the tenth or eleventh man off the bench.
Hassan Whiteside
The veteran massive man final performed for the Utah Jazz in 2021-22 as Rudy Gobert’s backup. Even in restricted time, Whiteside was high 10 within the NBA in block photographs averaging 1.6 per recreation and seven.6 rebounds in solely 17.9 minutes a recreation.
Whiteside could appear to be he has been within the league ceaselessly, however he’s solely 32 years outdated and might nonetheless present elite shot-blocking and rebounding when engaged. Of course, staying engaged and being constant has at all times been a part of Whiteside’s challenge. But in a minor position, that’s much less of an issue.
Whiteside may also fill in as a starter in an emergency. In eight begins in Utah final season, he averaged 11.5 factors and 11.3 rebounds. He additionally shot a career-high 65.2 % from the sector final season for the Jazz.
Conclusion
With groups seeking to enhance their rosters, many groups will look to trades earlier than the deadline passes. In some circumstances, that’s the finest route, however sometimes, groups can discover a free agent who should be out there through free company for one purpose or one other. The gamers on this article can all assist potential playoff groups.