The Los Angeles Lakers, who were eliminated in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, look to be entering September without making a meaningful move during the offseason. Outside of drafting Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, the Lakers haven’t added a player in free agency or a trade.
With 15 guaranteed contracts on the books and right below the second apron, the Lakers are in a tough position regarding trades and signing players. Still, there are ways for Los Angeles to add players, and Dan Favale of Bleacher Report believes there’s one player on the market they should target.
Favale listed “landing spots for the 5 best NBA free agents still on the market,” which included Cedi Osman. He listed the Lakers as the landing spot for the sharpshooter.
“Over the past three seasons, the 29-year-old is downing more than 57 percent of his twos and 37 percent of his threes. Just seven other players have hit those marks while also draining as many treys as Osman (330): Duncan Robinson, Corey Kispert, Trey Murphy, Sam Hauser, Al Horford, Michael Porter Jr. and Kevin Durant.
“Remove the marquee names from that list, and you’re still looking at a couple of useful NBA players. Osman is worth a roster spot for rotations in need of shot-making from the wing positions,” Favale wrote on August 30. “Enter the Los Angeles Lakers. Exactly none of their wings or combo forwards are considered knockdown shooters. Osman would upgrade their spacing at minimum, and his willingness to move without the ball should fit cleanly within head coach JJ Redick’s (presumed) offensive tenets.”
How the Lakers Could Sign Cedi Osman
If the Los Angeles Lakers were to sign any free agents, they’d either have to make a trade or cut a player to open a roster spot.
There are options for them to do so on their roster.
Favale named three players who could be cut by the Lakers, writing that it’s “absolutely worth doing.”
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Lakers Named ‘Landing Spot’ for 1 of Top Free Agents Still Available