Dwight Howard is clearly the top priority for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, but there are also other holes to fill. The Lakers cast a wide net for free agent shooters to surround Howard, including Los Angeles native Nick Young, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles.
Lakers rumors: L.A. reached out to Nick Young, other free agent shooters
The Lakers want shooters to potentially surround Dwight Howard if he returns, and they have reached out to Nick Young among several others.
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Young had a rather mediocre season with the Philadelphia 76ers last year, averaging 10.6 points while shooting 41.3 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from three. Young does have experience playing in Los Angeles, as he attended USC and played part of the 2011-12 season with the Clippers.
The Lakers reportedly also reached out to former Laker Jordan Farmar, Houston Rockets free agent Francisco Garcia, Cleveland Cavaliers free agent Wayne Ellington and Clippers free agent Matt Barnes. The Lakers have also expressed interest in Rockets free agent Carlos Delfino, New York Knicks forward Chris Copeland and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Chase Budinger.
The Lakers did make 8.7 threes per game last season, which was good for third in the NBA. However, they were only 19th in three-point percentage at 35.5 percent, and there can never be enough shooting surrounding a big man like Howard. Los Angeles only has the taxpayer mid-level exception to offer free agents, although that starting salary of $3.18 million a year would likely be enough to attract most of the targets mentioned.
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