Lakers May Pursue Former Top 3 Draft Pick in Free Agency

The Los Angeles Lakers have plenty of time to rebuild their roster. They have to make a few moves to get rid of underperforming players and improve the roster. Russell Westbrook is probably the first to go. Rob Pelinka may wait for the new head coach to arrive before he makes a move. Frank Vogel was fired at the end of the regular season. He had issues with Westbrook and the new head coach may not face the same problem. The Lakers have to make a move and they have been linked to a top 3 draft pick.

Is Otto Porter Jr. the right player to join the Lakers at this point?

It’s actually criminal that Otto Porter Jr got signed to the minimum and the Lakers dead didn’t get him ?. He would have been perfect for them

— Drew (@AndyVsTheWorId) May 8, 2022

He is a former top-three pick with great performance. Porter is doing a really good job with the Golden State Warriors. The best part? He will become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. Pelinka doesn’t have too much money to work with, but Porter could easily fit in his roster.

Lakers may show interest in the underpaid draft pick

Porter saw action in 65 games with the Warriors. He is averaging 8.2 points, 1.5 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game while going 37% from the perimeter and 46.4% from the field. The talented player earns just $2.3 million and came off the bench for 48 games in the regular season. He will have a bench role with his next team and this could be of great help for the Lakers.

There’s more. Porter is an incredibly versatile player. He may play small forward, power forward, and center. In his time with the Warriors, Porter spent 36% of his time as a small-ball five. Porter will definitely give the Lakers lineup flexibility. The new head coach will have a chance to work with small-ball lineups that don’t use LeBron James as a point center.

Steve Kerr says it’s “conceivable” that Otto Porter Jr. could earn a start in this series. He was +30 in Game 3.

— C.J. Holmes ??‍♂️ (@CjHolmes22) May 8, 2022

went to the #WarriorsVsGrizzlies game last night. when you see it live, you marvel at all the little things that Otto Porter Jr does to help the team. Much of it doesn't end up in the stat sheet but he's the king of the 50/50 ball. Most underrated free agency signing this year.

— SF Sports Ghost (@SFSportsGhost) May 8, 2022

Pelinka is checking out his options right now. The most successful NBA teams are now trying to make the NBA Finals. The Lakers are carefully eyeing their targets. Who will be the first player to put on a Lakers jersey?