Maggette to the Lakers a Possibility

It has already been well documented that Clippers forward Corey Maggette has decided to test the free agency waters in order to play for a championship caliber teams such as the Boston Celtics or the San Antonio Spurs. While both Boston and San Antonio would be attractive places for Maggette, ESPN is reporting that the Lakers have a chance at signing the Clippers swingman for the mid-level exception.

It’s believed that Maggette, without an offer from a team with cap room, favors San Antonio if he has to sign a contract starting at the midlevel. But he has also drawn similar interest from a variety of enticing contenders — Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Orlando, New Orleans and Utah are the known suitors — and the Lakers would be a dangerous suitor if they wanted to get involved given Maggette’s close relationship with Kobe Bryant. The Lakers, though, would have to abandon any interest in resigning Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf to sign Maggette, and the team still favors retaining those two key reserves

Since Kobe Bryant and Maggette share the same agent in Rob Pelinka, it’s likely that Maggette would go the Lakers, provided that there would be equal moneyon the table. However, if the Lakers were to sign Maggette, it is very likely that they would be unable to sign both key reserves Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf . So, it basically comes down to Maggette or Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf.

While Sasha and Ronny are two of my favorite players, if Maggette is available than there is no doubt that the Lakers should sign him immediately. While Sasha is a terrific shooter,  the rest of his offensive game is atypical for any other NBA player. He isn’t particularly quick and he can’t create his own shot. Maggette is just as good a shooter as Sasha, and he also has the ability to score on his own, which would alleviate some of the pressure from Kobe. 

If the Lakers were to sign Maggette, than I see no reason as to why they couldn’t keep Ronny as well. While it’d be too expensive to keep Sasha, who may demand close to $5 million a season, Ronny may still be affordable, as he is expected to earn somewhere from $3 million to $4 million per year deal. The Lakers should make signing Maggette their first priority and then figure out what to do with Sasha and Ronny.