Has the Free Agency Market Been Set for Rui Hachimura? Do the Lakers Need to Keep Mo Bamba?

The Draft is done, and now the NBA is getting ready for the rush of free agency.

In a twist on the normal run of things, the Lakers really aren't a big part of the rumor mill. The reasons are fairly obvious: They lack cap space, and to create any, it would require the Lakers to clear the decks of too many important players. Way too many. Meanwhile, the types of guys they can afford aren't the shiny names that get attention at this point of the process. But logic and reality has never been a big part of determining whether people talk about the Lakers and free agent action.

Instead, the focus really is much more on the market for their own free agents, and whether the Lakers will make a real effort to run it back. That starts with D'Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura. And the market for Hachimura might have taken shape over the weekend, when Minnesota's Naz Reid signed an extension with the Wolves for about $14 million a season.

And while some Lakers fans had pipe dreams of somehow getting Reid to LA - that was never going to happen - that the Wolves got him for just above the full midlevel is a good sign for the Lakers. At first look, it's hard to see how many teams will go much higher than that for Hachimura. The teams with cap space (Houston, for example) don't benefit using it on Rui. Really good teams that might have a defined role for him don't have the money. So maybe the Lakers keep him for something like that $14 mil, which is a few mil less than what the top end could be, and given all the tax math the Lakers are doing, that could be a big deal.

They also have a choice to make on Mo Bamba, who would get a little more appealing on the open market with Reid gone as an option. Should the Lakers decline his $10 million option for next year, would they be able to lure him back on a smaller deal? If they let him go, who could replace him?

It's a pickle! Bamba may not be perfect, but he's very likely better than who the Lakers could get on a minimum deal, and to use their exception to fill a hole they created would be painful.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers aren't a big part of the discourse as free agency talk heats up.

SEGMENT 2: Did Naz Reid set the market for Rui Hachimura?

SEGMENT 3: To Bamba or not to Bamba? That is the question.

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

eBay Motors

For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit. eBay Motors dot com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.

Gametime

Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Last minute tickets. Lowest Price. Guaranteed.

PrizePicks

First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That’s PrizePicks.com – promo code; LOCKEDON

FanDuel

Make Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices