Lakers: 3 free agents to avoid this offseason

2. Victor Oladipo

Oladipo is a big-name player who is hitting free agency at the wrong time. He’s struggled mightily with injuries over the past several seasons and there’s no guarantee he’ll ever rediscover the form that made him a leading man in his prime.

He might enter free agency with expectations of finding a big deal, but it’s very possible Oladipo will be forced to accept a cheap, short-term deal designed to help him rebuild his value before hitting free agency again next summer.

It’s easy to envision a scenario where the Lakers and Oladipo decide that rolling the dice on one another makes a ton of sense. He arguably has one of the highest ceilings of anyone available in free agency. Los Angeles may be tempted to give him a chance to rehab his value in the City of Angels.

The Lakers should pass on Oladipo because he’s an awkward fit with James even if he does somehow play his best basketball again. He’s never been a plus shooter and he thrives when he’s permitted to operate with the ball in his hands. At best, he can help pilot the Lakers’ second unit in the regular season. At worst, he’ll be a total waste of a roster spot.