NBA Rumors: Malcolm Brogdon Part Of Lakers Alternative Target Recruits

The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be busy prowling the unrestricted free agent market this summer although they are expected to encounter stiff competition in their pursuit of top NBA stars. So far the names of Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, and Kemba Walker have been mentioned time and again as the third superstar for Los Angeles but several obstacles (such as money constraints) stand in the way.

Should the Lakers strike out snagging NBA stars in the unrestricted free agent market, it would not come as a surprise if they take aim at some of the upcoming restricted free agents. One name that has cropped up is that of Malcolm Brogdon of the Milwaukee Bucks although general manager Rob Pelinka will have to come up with a hard-to-resist offer to get him, the Silver Screen and Roll podcast reported.

The numbers on a potential offer to the 26-year-old guard need to be overwhelming for the Bucks to match. Dangling a mediocre deal will not work and this is something the Lakers will have to work on. They only have about $23.7 million left in team salary budget, something that could factor in heavily in their pursuit of the 36th overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft and other free agents available. As mentioned in that post, it is no secret that the Lakers will be looking for a third superstar to join LeBron James and Anthony Davis next season as the purple and gold try to bring back the glory days to Hollywood.

One thing that the Lakers may want to consider about Brogdon is that this is the same guy who played only 64 games last NBA season. A foot injury is to blame for all that although there is no question that the 2017 NBA Rookie of the Year is someone who can dazzle when fielded in. He averaged 15.6 points per game last season, shooting 50.5-percent from the field and 42.6-percent from down deep, the Silver Screen and Roll reported. There is no doubt that he fits the Lakers need at the wings to help free up the middle for James and Davis to operate.

Brogdon is a possibility but somehow a long shot. There is no doubt that the Bucks will try their best to keep him in the fold, aware that he could be a piece of Milwaukee’s future run. Hence, it should be not surprising if he stays on with Milwaukee unless the contract price becomes totally ridiculous to match.