Lakers have already identified Danny Green’s replacement
The Lakers already know how they want to replace Danny Green in their starting lineup. Their primary plan is very bad news for the Milwaukee Bucks.
The NBA isn’t permitting the completion of any transactions until Monday, but the Lakers have been very busy this weekend. Not only have they reached an agreement on a big trade to bring Dennis Schroder to Los Angeles, but they’ve also identified their top target heading into free agency.
The Schroder deal will send Danny Green to Oklahoma City which leaves the Lakers with a vacant spot on the wing. It’s only natural that the franchise would choose to fill that void via free agency. That’s why reports claim Los Angeles has zeroed in on Wesley Matthews as their top target on the open market.
Matthews would be a valuable addition to the Lakers rotation
The Bucks aren’t going to let the veteran wing go without a fight. Matthews holds a player option with Milwaukee for next season, but he will almost certainly opt out given that it’s only for the league minimum. That will make him one of the most interesting unrestricted free agents available for contenders looking to strengthen their options on the wing.
Both the Bucks and Lakers fancy themselves as strong candidates to win the NBA title next year. Milwaukee is desperate to shake up their roster in an effort to convince Giannis Antetekuonmpo to commit his long-term future to the franchise. Matthews may not be a difference-maker on his own, but he is a potentially valuable role player for a Bucks team that wants to make a run at an Eastern Conference title.
Matthews could play the same role alongside the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Los Angeles. The Lakers are looking to repeat as NBA Champions but need to replace Green’s minutes on the wing to turn that dream into a reality. Matthews’ ability to shoot the ball effectively from distance combined with his proficiency in guarding big wings makes him a particularly attractive option for the Lakers.
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Neither team is in a position to break the bank to sign Matthews, but he could earn up to the taxpayer mid-level exception in Los Angeles. That wouldn’t necessarily outbid the Bucks, but it might be too large an offer for Milwaukee to match. The race to sign Matthews is something fans of both teams should watch closely in the coming days.