NBA free agency starts on Monday, August 2nd at 6 PM eastern standard time, officially starting the new NBA year.

Being one of the most successful and historical franchises in NBA history, it comes with the nature that almost every big-name free-agent or available player via trade is linked to the Laker franchise, especially because of their recent success and wanting to be able to play alongside LeBron James. The Lakers cap situation is going to take a lot of strategizing this off-season with almost little to no space to sign another big-name free agent. They're going to have to rely on some veteran free agent players taking a substantial pay cut to join the Lakers roster and compete for a championship. There are rumored to be some players who are more than willing to take less money just to finally be able to raise that Larry O’Brien trophy.

The NBA free agency is set to start on Monday, August 2nd at 6 PM(est), and the Lakers only have four guaranteed contracts on their current roster. Those guaranteed players include LeBron James (41.1M), Anthony Davis (35.3M), Marc Gasol (2.6M), and recently acquired Russell Westbrook (44.2). Going into next season, moving Anthony Davis to the center position makes a lot of sense for this Lakers team due to the recent Westbrook trade, signing some suitable 3-and-D players to fill in the two and three positions. So, let's look at the most important task for the Lakers in free agency and see who they can potentially target.

The first free-agent candidate that makes the most sense for the Lakers is small forward Otto Porter. Porter is suitable because of the need for this roster, he fits the type of player that can play well around the Lakers star core, being a 40% career three-point shooter and an above-average defender. Otto Porter is one of the best available 3-and-D players in free agency, and if he can stay healthy for this Lakers team, he can provide a solid role in the lineup. Look for the Lakers to possibly offer him the mid-level exception, between 3.9M and 5.9M.

Probably the most likely candidate to sign with the Lakers this offseason is Carmelo Anthony. Melo is a free agent that just makes sense for this Lakers roster, being a close friend with LeBron James, and also being a former teammate of the Laker Russell Westbrook in their tenure in Oklahoma City. The potential addition of Anthony will bring a huge veteran presence and player who can play the three or four spot when LeBron rests during games. Last season, Melo averaged 13.4 points a game on 40.9% shooting from deep and 42.1% overall from the field at 36-years-old for the Trail Blazers, something this Lakers team can surely use off the bench this season, with Anthony potentially getting paid the vet minimum.

Rudy Gay is another player the Lakers could potentially get on a veteran minimum this off-season. One of the best players to never make an all-star game, Rudy Gay can provide a solid role in the Lakers lineup, being an above-average offensive scorer and lengthy defender at his 6'8 frame to play the three and the four spot. Gay was able to average 11.2 points per game for the Spurs last season, shooting a solid 42% from the floor and 38% from the three-point arc.

There has been speculation over the past couple of days that former Laker Dwight Howard is willing to come back to Los Angeles for his 3rd stint this off-season for the Lakers. It will be an obvious perfect fit for Howard and the Lakers, as we know how important his role was in the Lakers 2020 “bubble” championship. At 35-years-old, Howard averaged 7 points and 8.4 rebounds per game last season for the Philadelphia 76ers. Look for the Lakers to possibly bring back a familiar face in Dwight this off-season on a vet minimum.

Another former Laker who could be back in the purple and gold is shooting guard, Wayne Ellington. The 33-year-old has been linked to the Lakers in free agency, and it makes perfect sense to add him to the roster, given how solid he was from three last season for the Pistons. Ellington shot over 40% from the floor and three last season, shooting 44% from the field and 42% from deep, averaging 9.6 points per game.

It’s possible the Lakers can sign Furkan Korkmaz and add him to the starting lineup for the purple and gold next season, due to how low his contract can be and how solid from outside he could potentially be for the Lakers. Still only 24 years of age, Korkmaz averaged 9.1 points per game last season for the 76ers, shooting 37% from downtown and 40% total from the field. Korkmaz can be just the player the Lakers are looking for this off-season if the 76ers don't re-sign him to a bigger contract.

An under-the-radar target the Lakers can sign in free agency is guard/small forward James Ennis III. Expected to get the veteran minimum, Ennis would be a solid bench player for this Lakers roster, being able to play multiple positions and being a solid consistent outside shooter. Last season for the Magic, Ennis averaged 8.4 points per game on 47.3% from the field goal and 43.3% from the three-point arc, showcasing how valuable his production can be for this team next season.

Being a more than reliable shooter last season for the Utah Jazz, Georges Niang can be the player the Lakers add to the roster in the coming days due to how well he shot from the floor last season. Niang shot a solid 42.5% from deep in Utah last season, showing how much value he can bring from deep for any NBA team this season. The Jazz might do anything they can to retain Niang in free agency, but don't be surprised if the Lakers end up signing the 28-year-old veteran.

At still a relatively solid age, Austin Rivers can provide a nice backup point guard role for any contending NBA team, being a solid role player as of late in his career, showing last season in Denver. Rivers can be a great fit for this Lakers team, showing he can be consistent from the field, averaging 8.7 points per game last season for the Nuggets on 41.8% shooting from the field and 37% from three.

Last but not least, the Lakers' most important task is retaining their players from last season, especially their young core who knows their playbook. Resigning the 20-year-old Talen Horton-Tucker and Caruso is a must for the purple and gold in free agency. Both players are definitely going to have multiple suitors looking to sign them, so the Lakers could end up not being able to re-sign either. Look for the Lakers to also possibly bring back the 31-year-old Markieef Morris to the roster, as he is expected to get the vet minimum. The Lakers have to find a way to bring back these players to help them compete for another championship.

Potential players the Lakers can target in Free Agency.