The Tribune

By INIGO 'NAUGHTY' ZENICAZELAYA

I HATE to say ‘I told you so’, but ‘I told you so!’

In last week’s column, I said it right here, that by this year’s NBA Draft, New Orleans all star PF Anthony Davis would be a member of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and three future first round picks later, Davis is a Laker.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the timing of the deal - expected to be on July 6 - leaves the Lakers in a bind in regards to available cap space needed to pursue a third max-level free agent.

If the deal does go down on July 6, that will leave the Lakers $23.7 million in cap space to sign free agents, but out of the running for a third max -level free agent.

(Kawhi Leonard, Kemba Walker, Jimmy Butler.)

If this does turn out to be the case, here’s a list of five, quality second-tier free agents that could round out the Lakers roster in a powerful way. Especially come playoff time.

Bojan Bogdanovic SF

Indiana Pacers

A perfect fit as a knockout shooter with size and a better playmaker than he gets credit for, Bogdanovic could cost the Lakers most of their cap space depending on what his market looks like, but they should be able to get him for less than a max. They would for sure have to give him a long-term deal, and they’d have to weigh that against how much flexibility they want in the summer to come.

JJ Redick PG/SG

Philadelphia 76ers

Redick has become an absolute championship player. He signed a one-year deal with Philly last season for $12.5 million.

The Lakers could offer him something similar, perhaps with two or three years attached to give Redick some stability.

He would be a perfect fit alongside LeBron and Davis and a high-level player for at least a few more years.

Nikola Mirotic

A stretch four next to Davis at the five has obvious floor-spacing benefits for LeBron. Mirotic is a streaky shooter, but when he’s on, he’s deadly.

His defence leaves a lot to be desired. Mirotic made $12.5 million last year but I’d be very surprised if he got anything close to that again.

Patrick Beverley PG

LA Clippers

Much like Collison, an underrated point guard who is much more than just a defensive pest - though he is certainly that.

Beverley shot just under 40 per cent from three last season and has really improved that part of his game, which would make him a capable floor spacer when LeBron is handling the ball. Beverley made just over $5 million last year.

Terrance Ross SG

Orlando

Ross averaged 15 points per game last year on 38 per cent shooting from three for the Magic, and can flat-out get buckets.

He’s a great pick-and-roll player with the ball in his hands and would free up LeBron to play some off the ball and would be another perimeter player who can create his own offence in the playoffs, when that becomes so crucial.

Ross made $10.5 million last year and would be in line for something similar on a multi-year deal. He’s a great fit and probably the most explosive non-max offensive player on this list outside of maybe Bogdanovic.

With the Warriors highly unlikely to be at full strength for the majority of the upcoming season, Davis, James, a third star and a band of unheralded supporting players just might be enough to make the Lakers the top team in the West once again and, more importantly, champions after a long hiatus.

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