Top 5 free agents Lakers can still scoop to play alongside LeBron James for 2024-25 season

LeBron James is reportedly willing to take a pay cut to help the LA Lakers sign a mid-level exception player. The Lakers currently have 11 existing players on contract plus the two rookies from the NBA Draft. The team has several options in free agency to help them contend next season.

According to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes, James will opt out of his contract with the Lakers and take a pay cut on his new deal. If "The King" signs a discounted contract, the Lakers can have a full mid-level exception that will allow them to sign a key free agent.

The projected value of the mid-level exception is reportedly around $12.9 million. That may be enough to get a quality starter who can help the Lakers finish above the NBA Play-In Tournament spots for the first time since 2020.

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Top 5 free agents the LA Lakers can still sign to play with LeBron James

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#5 - Buddy Hield

Buddy Hield (Photo: IMAGN)

One of the things LeBron James and the LA Lakers need is shooting and there might not be a better shooter right now in free agency than Buddy Hield. The former Oklahoma star is coming off a down season split between the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers.

Hield has also been linked to the Lakers in the past few years, but this time it could finally happen. He will provide scoring and shooting either as a starter or off the bench. He's a liability on defense, so if the Lakers indeed sign him, he's going to be a sixth man.

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#4 - DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan (Photo: IMAGN)

Another player linked to the LA Lakers over the years is DeMar DeRozan. He is set to become a free agent and is open to coming home to California. He might not be the best shooter out there, but he's a proven scorer and closer.

Adding DeRozan could keep LeBron James and Anthony Davis fresh for the postseason. He's also capable of hitting big shots and might help take some burden off during the regular season, especially during close games.

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#3 - Klay Thompson

Klay Thompson (Photo: IMAGN)

Klay Thompson's time with the Golden State Warriors is possibly coming to an end. Thompson is no longer the player he used to be, but a change in scenery might revitalize his shooting touch. He remains one of the greatest shooters to ever play the game.

LeBron James has never had a great shooter like Thompson as a teammate, so it could unlock the Lakers' offense under JJ Redick. He could still defend on a good day although he was torched by opposing teams last season.

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#2 - James Harden

James Harden (Photo: IMAGN)

Another player past his prime is James Harden, who spent last season with the LA Clippers. Harden could still start with the LA Lakers and serve as the primary playmaker. He remains a deadly shooter although he will need to play without the ball more since LeBron James will share playmaking duties with him.

Harden's defense is also non-existent at this point, so it's a liability at times. He's from California as well and would likely want to remain near home.

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#1 - Jonas Valanciunas

Jonas Valanciunas (Photo: IMAGN)

Anthony Davis has played center for the majority of the past two seasons and has flourished in that role. However, Davis is much better as a power forward on both ends of the floor. If LeBron James takes a pay cut, the LA Lakers could sign a big man like Jonas Valanciunas.

Valanciunas can score and rebound plus some respectable defense. He struggled defending the small ball last season, but with the rise of the big man rotations, the Lakers would need to add size. Isaiah Hartenstein won't be cheap, so it might be better to sign the Lithuanian center.