5 2014 Free Agents Who Are Ideal Fits Alongside Dwight Howard

The summer of LeBron James, Take Two.

Though July 2014 seems like a lifetime away, I seem to remember James and buddies Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade staging a coup at the 2008 Olympics two years before it actually happened.

Case in point: it's never too early to look ahead.

Which according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com, is exactly what the Lakers are doing, specifically with regards to LeBron.

As I've laid out previously, Los Angeles will have roughly $28.3 million in cap to burn through by then, ensuring it has the means to begin the potentially Kobe Bryant-less, Dwight Howard era with a bang—no matter what James decides to do.

But who is an ideal fit to play alongside Howard and Steve Nash? Who stands to help the Lakers the most in Bryant's stead? Who must the team target two years from now to resolidify their status as a championship contender?

Because while the possibilities are endless financially, the Lakers must restrict their options to who will suit their drastically altered dynamic best.

5. Andre Iguodala, SG

2014 Free-Agency Status: Unrestricted

Now (and go with me on this), what if the Lakers were to replace Kobe Bryant with another shooting guard?

It sounds crazy, but it just might work. And Iguodala is just the 2-guard to make it work.

Though Iguodala is hardly the scorer Bryant is, and while Iguodala will be 30 by 2014, he's an athletic presence both Dwight Howard and Steve Nash could embrace.

Not only can Iggy fill in at point guard when Nash needs a breather—after all, he'll be 40—but he's a better shooter than most give him credit for.

Iguodala has converted on 33.4 percent of his three-point attempts for his career and shot 39.4 percent from behind arc last season.

And that was with him serving as Philadelphia's primary facilitator. Imagine how efficient he'll be when he doesn't have to create his own offense and receives even more uncontested looks.

Then there's his perpetual rim-attacking style to consider. Iguodala—like Nash and any other player who can navigate the paint—draws in the defense, giving Howard plenty of opportunities to make a backdoor cut to the basket for an alley-oop.

Such results are bound to keep the big man happy. And Los Angeles atop the West.

If Denver opts to part ways with Iguodala in two years time, the Lakers should be one of the next teams in line.

4. Danny Granger, SF

2014 Free-Agency Status: Unrestricted

You know what they say, one team's excess is another team's treasure. Or something like that.

Personally, I'll be Kevin-Love-stomps-Luis-Scola-in-the-face-surprised if Granger is a member of the Pacers when 2014 rolls around. 

Paul George is a star in the making—a more athletic version of Granger—with a stronger defensive conscience. Which renders the need for Granger in Indiana non-existent.

Los Angeles, though? That's a different story.

When playing alongside Dwight Howard, you need strong three-point shooters. Just ask Ryan Anderson.

Howard draws triple-teams at times, so the Lakers need to be sure they have a capable shooter trailing in the backcourt.

And the same goes for Steve Nash. When he attacks the basket and the pick-and-roll isn't available, he needs a dependable shooter to get the ball to.

Granger is dependable. He's a career 38.4 percent long distance shooter and is someone who could easily light up the stat sheet alongside Howard and Nash.

While Granger won't be the ideal fit for the Pacers by 2014, he'll certainly be one for the Lakers.

3. Carmelo Anthony, SF

2014 Free-Agency Status: Unrestricted (Early Termination Option)

Carmelo Anthony has the ability to terminate the final year of his contract with the Knicks and enter unrestricted free agency, which is a situation the Lakers need to monitor.

You might say there's no way 'Melo leaves the comfort of the Big Apple, leaves the team that has catered to his every need. But you might be wrong.

Nearly two years from now, if Anthony still doesn't have a ring on his finger—and let's face it, Isiah Thomas is more likely to resume head coaching duties in New York than the Knicks are to win a title by 2014—will Madison Square Garden still be as comfortable?

Absolutely not, especially if Amar'e Stoudemire fails to regain his swagger and Tyson Chandler breaks down.

Enter the Lakers.

Yes, Anthony will be a 30-year-old ball-stopper by then, but he can compress defenses the same way Howard does.

When 'Melo posts up and attacks the basket, he draws the opposition in, which will create a world of open looks at the rim for Howard himself.

And as far as Steve Nash goes, he's a disciple of Mike D'Antoni's run-and-gun offense, the same offense the point guard will try and inject elements of into Los Angeles' Princeton set, the same offense that saw Anthony score 37 points at the 2012 Olympics in under 15 minutes.

Yeah, that offense.

Factor in Kobe Bryant's potential retirement and the Lakers are really just moving from one prolific ball-stopper who has the ability to thrive as a spot-up shooter to another.

2. Rudy Gay, SF

2014 Free-Agency Status: Unrestricted (Player Option)

Is Rudy Gay actually foolish enough to pass on the $19.3 million he'll be due in 2014?

If by foolish we mean savvy enough, then the answer is yes.

Gay will be 28 by this time and at a point in his career where teams won't shy away from giving him the maximum number over the four years he is eligible to receive.

Why not sacrifice one year worth of pay for four years worth of stability (especially if Memphis is dangling a four-year extension)?

And that's where the Lakers can step in.

Not only is Gay an underrated perimeter defender, but he's a solid rebounder and another offensive superstar. He's an unselfish offensive stud who can move without the ball, making him valuable to Dwight Howard off double-teams and Steve Nash in general.

Though his production declined a bit during the 2011-12 campaign, he still put up nearly 19 points per contest on 45.5 percent shooting. His three-point prowess dropped to 31.2 percent, but he's a career 34.7 percent shooter from behind the arc.

We can assume that Gay would be approved by both Howard and Nash.

It'll be up to the Lakers to chase him if given the opportunity.

1. LeBron James, SF

2014 Free-Agency Status: Unrestricted (Early Termination Option)

No surprises here.

In 2014, pushing 30, LeBron James will still be the best player in the NBA, someone who can dominate the game in every statistical category and carry a team single-handedly.

But he may not be open to the latter, which is great new for the Lakers.

Should LeBron not show unwavering faith in the deteriorating Dwyane Wade and the oft-underwhelming Chris Bosh, he may opt to bolt for greener pastures and a warmer climate for the second time in his career.

And that would be just fine by Dwight Howard.

Like most others on this list, James loves to attack the basket and draw defenses in. But unlike everyone else, he's a superior facilitator who will create the easiest scoring opportunities possible for Howard. 

Factor in his improved shooting—53.1 percent from the field overall and 36.2 percent from downtown last season—and his constantly evolving post-up game, and you have a player who fits into every offensive scheme there is, even one led by Steve Nash.

The fact that Los Angeles would have two Defensive Player of the Year candidates in Howard and James is merely a bonus, and serves as further cause for the Lakers to continue their apparent pursuit of The Chosen One.

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