NBA Free Agency 2017: One signing every team should make

Los Angeles Lakers: Michael Carter-Williams

Following the D’Angelo Russell trade, the Los Angeles Lakers are positioning themselves to be big players in 2018 free agency. Getting Timofey Mozgov’s albatross of a contract off of the books by dealing Russell to the Nets was essentially the entire motivation for making the trade. Unfortunately for Magic Johnson and the Lakers, though, that doesn’t really help them this summer when they’re going to be financially restrained because of the money they have committed to guys like Luol Deng and now Brook Lopez for the 2017-18 season.

That means that the Lakers will have to go shopping in the bargain bin in 2017 NBA free agency, but that doesn’t mean they can’t address one of their weaknesses still. Michael Carter-Williams has proven by this point that he isn’t a viable option as a No. 1 point guard in this league. The good news for L.A., however, is that means he’s likely going to come at a low price. And for a team that could use depth at point guard as they bring No. 2 overall pick Lonzo Ball along, he could be a valuable commodity for the Lakers in the 2017-18 season.

Put simply, the Lakers would be wise to have Carter-Williams split time close to evenly with Ball early in the season while the UCLA product gets acclimated to the league. In doing so, they would put themselves in the best position for progression throughout the season and to be an attractive destination for free agency next offseason when they look to pursue one Paul George.