7 players the Lakers could sign with the mid-level exception

Things can change quickly in the NBA landscape, especially during free agency.

With recent reports indicating that LeBron James is willing to take less money if they bring in a quality veteran, suddenly, the Lakers can be players in free agency.

This would be a huge sacrifice for the 39-year-old LeBron as he would have to take approximately $16 million less to open the full $12.9 million mid-level exception (MLE). Still, for the right player, it sounds like he’d be willing to do so and go after another title in Los Angeles.

The question is, who might the Lakers target? Here’s a list of seven names they could look at.

Klay Thompson, Warriors

The Lakers are reportedly among the teams interested in Thompson and if there’s a better MLE signing the Lakers can do, I haven’t thought of it. The L.A. native could return home in a glorious way by joining the Lakers.

His dad is Lakers legend Mychal Thompson, who not only played for during the Showtime era but still calls games on the radio. Thompson isn’t just a feel-good story. Even in a down year, by his standards, he provides the Lakers with impeccable 3-point shooting.

Last season, he made 268 3-pointers, which would be a franchise record in Los Angeles. Add that to his veteran leadership, championship pedigree and hunger to prove he still has some years left in the tank and no other potential MLE player can achieve the heights Thompson is still capable of.

For now, it’s a waiting game to see if the organization can outbid others for his services.

Jonas Valančiūnas, Pelicans

The Lakers have been looking for a dependable big to pair alongside Anthony Davis throughout his tenure in Los Angeles. The only time they’ve had that role filled well was during the 2019-20 season, which resulted in a title. If they can’t acquire Thompson, Valančiūnas is a heck of a consolation prize.

He flirted with a double-double nightly in New Orleans, averaging 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds. If the Lakers can convince him to take his talents to Southern California, it would be the first time they have had good size and rebounding alongside Davis since the title year.

Chris Paul, Warriors

Life has three inevitabilities: death, taxes and Chris Paul to the Lakers rumors.

I know it’s not 2011, but CP3 can still play and provides leadership and quality bench minutes as a guard who can still run an offense. Last season, he averaged 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists. Paul also had the fifth-best plus-minus on the Warriors with a +110 on the season.

The biggest concern about him is his availability. Since 2020, he has played fewer games year after year and only appeared in 58 games last season for the Warriors.

Caleb Martin, Heat

With Martin declining his $7.12 million, he is now an unrestricted free agent and the Lakers provide a situation where he can excel and be a consistent starter on a contender.

With just five seasons under his belt, Martin still has the potential to be better. Last season was a career year for Martin, as he averaged 10 points and shot 34% from beyond the arc. However, given that LeBron has to be willing to take approximately $16 million less for this to be possible, I wonder if Martin is good enough for James to make that financial sacrifice.

Derrick Jones Jr., Mavericks

The Lakers always want to add wings and Jones Jr. would be a quality pick. During his 23.5 minutes of play last year, he averaged 8.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in Dallas. Like Martin, he’s not an all-star, but in a new scenario, maybe you can get career numbers from the eight-year veteran.

Miles Bridges, Hornets

Bringing on Bridges, who was suspended by the NBA after domestic violence allegations, would not be a good PR move. But the Lakers haven’t been deterred by that as they’ve constantly been linked to Bridges even after the allegations.

His talent has never been the question; he can score in bunches and averaged 21 points in the 2023-24 season for the Hornets, but this is a scenario where the consequence is likely not worth the reward.

Kyle Anderson, Timberwolves

Anderson is as dependable and consistent as a Timex watch, but who wants a Timex? Perhaps the Lakers, as it gives them quality depth and a player who can stay on the floor and be respectable on both sides of the ball.

If Anderson is the best the Lakers can do, I think LeBron will take the maximum amount of money and not worry about what could’ve been with Anderson.