Lakers Sleeper Contracts to Pursue in NBA Free Agency

The Los Angeles Lakers figure to be operating on the margins in 2024 NBA free agency.

That is, of course, so long as they don't have enormous holes in need of filling.

If LeBron James stays put—either by picking up his $51.4 million player option, per Spotrac, or declining it and signing a new deal—the Lakers' funds will be limited. And if D'Angelo Russell runs it back on his own $18.7 million player option, L.A. might be restricted to the clearance section of the free-agent pool.

Still, there are always value players to find, and the following three should have the Lakers' attention as potential right fits at the right price.

Derrick Jones Jr., Dallas Mavericks

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

DALLAS, TX - MAY 26: Derrick Jones Jr. #55 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 26, 2024 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

After signing a minimum contract with the Mavericks last offseason, Derrick Jones Jr. clearly earned himself a pay raise with his play. He is not only starting for an NBA Finals participant, he is playing a prominent role for them. Entering the championship round, he is fourth on the team in postseason minutes (31.2 per game) and routinely deployed defensively on the opposition's best player.

Couldn't this price Jones out of the Lakers' budget? That's possible, though his offensive limitations might prevent the huge salary spike some have perhaps envisioned.

This has been, unquestionably, his best season as a shooter, but even then, his personal-best marks are only 1.1 three-pointers per game with a 34.3 percent connection rate. If teams don't view him as a reliable spacer—he's only a 70.6 percent career foul shooter—then they may have a hard time viewing him as a true three-and-D option.

If he isn't snatched up in the first wave of free agency, the Lakers should give him a look. They need a player who looks an awful lot like his best version: athletic, versatile on defense and capable of supporting offensive stars as a play finisher.

Kyle Lowry, Philadelphia 76ers

Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends against a pass by Kyle Lowry #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on March 22, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Since Russell's future with the franchise is up in the air, the Purple and Gold could be on the prowl for a playmaker.

Kyle Lowry could be one of the better bargain-bin options at the position.

The 38-year-old has lost a few steps—not to mention, the bulk of his scoring—to time, but he's still helpful as an offensive organizer and off-ball shooting threat. Both the Miami Heat and 76ers utilized him as a near full-time starter this season, and he mostly made good on those chances by tripling his 1.4 turnovers with 4.2 assists and connecting on 39.2 percent of his long-range looks.

It's tough to tell what kind of role he'd handle in Los Angeles—perhaps the Lakers view a hopefully healthy Gabe Vincent as a capable starter—but Lowry's experience, decision-making and leadership would all be helpful to have.

Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors

Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 16: Chris Paul #3 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings during the 2024 Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2024 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Chris Paul isn't technically a part of this free-agent class yet, but that could be a matter of semantics.

The Warriors have between now and June 28 to decide whether they want to guarantee his $30 million salary for next season. With a pricey payroll and other needs to address, it's tough to see Golden State committing that kind of coin to an aging backup.

Should Paul reach the open market, the Lakers would likely be prominently placed on his preferred list of landing spots. His family resides in L.A., he shares a close bond with LeBron James and maybe he even feels a sense of unfinished business from the time he was traded to the Lakers only for the league to veto the deal.

Paul, who set a slew of career-lows this season (his first as a reserve), might value his situation and a chance to win more than money at this stage, meaning he could be priced right. If L.A. could add him, he'd be an easy fit as a secondary creator (or primary playmaker with the second unit), a brilliant ball-mover and a savvy-as-they-come veteran.