With a Chance of $17,000,000 influx, NBA Analysts Push for LeBron James’ Lakers to Retain 2 Star Players

The NBA Draft is still fresh on our minds. Fans and analysts are curious about who will underperform and who will exceed expectations. In the past few seasons especially, a lot of sleeper talents have been drafted on contending teams. Players that are not considered the best in their class, but ones that put in the work to seriously contribute to their new squads. LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have enjoyed the fruits of one such youngster.

Clearly, formed NBA champ Kendrick Perkins is also a fan of this up-and-coming shooter. With $17 million in cap space to maneuver through free agency, Perkins shared his take on who the Lakers should retain.

Perk argues that this undrafted guard is a must-have for LA next season

The Miami Heat’s off-season run saw a handful of undrafted players play major minutes in the NBA Finals. This is a rare occurrence and it definitely points to a recent trend in the league. From stars like Fred VanVleet to Miami legend, Udonis Haslem; undrafted players have shown that they can cut it at the highest stage of the game. During the past season, Austin Reaves was one of the spearheads for this argument.

On a recent ESPN discussion, Perk spoke about how Reaves and Rui Hachimura should be the Lakers’ top targets this off-season.

One analyst summed it like this, “Reaves is a lot. He deserves it, right? And when it comes down to Rui, we talk about patience, and I am not talking about the ones in the hospitals. I am talking about the patience of developing this young man. The Lakers have given him life. Phil Handy has done an excellent job with his player development, and LeBron James has done a great job of taking him under his wing. and when I think of Rui, Rui was a lottery.” 

High praise for the former No. 9 pick, who spent the first few years of his career struggling to find his form.

The discussion continued, “Yes, it didn’t work with the Washington Wizards, but this kid is gonna continue to get better. I believe he can be an eighteen to twenty-point scorer in this league. Now I see he plays with a little bit more of tenacity. I see him play with a little bit more force and little bit more of confidence.”

With such praise, it’s clear why retaining both players would help the Lakers’ chances come tip-off time.

LeBron James’ teammates have big shoes to fill

LeBron James has dominated the league for two decades already. Now entering his 21st season, the King, while still a top talent, has become more of an enabler than a go-to scorer. As such, he needs a solid supporting cast to help him and the Lakers be title contenders.

Read More: Joining Anthony Edwards and Austin Reaves, 20YO Paolo Banchero Set to Make a Mark on Global Platform

Whoever the Lakers decide to spend on, they will continue to run their game around Anthony Davis and the King.

Who do you think the Lakers should pursue this off-season? Tell us in the comments.

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