5 Free Agents the Los Angeles Lakers Could Sign This Offseason

• The Lakers' 2022-23 season ended after being swept by the Denver Nuggets
• Kyrie Irving leads the list of players the Lakers could sign this offseason
• James Harden, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porzingis could opt out of their contracts

There will be no championship parade in Los Angeles this season.

The Nuggets ended the Lakers’ playoff run, eliminating them in the Western Conference Finals via a four-game sweep.

Attention now shifts to general manager, Rob Pelinka’s plans for L.A. this offseason.

Here's a look at the players the Lakers may show interest in the summer of 2023.

1. Kyrie Irving

LeBron James has made no secret his desire to team up with former Cavs teammate, Kyrie Irving, once again.

The Lakers tried to acquire him before the trade deadline, but the Brooklyn Nets decided to ship him off to the Dallas Mavericks, per Sports Illustrated.

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That move didn’t pay off for the Mavs, who missed the playoffs despite having Luka Doncic and Irving together in their starting lineup.

Irving returning to Dallas isn’t certain after the team's stunning collapse. Money talks, though, and he is eligible for a mammoth four-year, $220.6 million contract in free agency this summer if he re-signs with the Mavericks.

The lure of LeBron and L.A., however, can sway Irving to sign with the Purple and Gold.

2. Draymond Green

The Lakers struggled to contain Nikola Jokic in the Western Finals, with the Nuggets center recording three triple-doubles in their playoff series.

Green’s connection with James is well known as Klutch Sports also represents him. He could opt out of his contract with the Golden State Warriors and become a free agent this summer.

3. James Harden

One guy the Lakers could target to bolster their backcourt is Harden.

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The Sixers star could become an unrestricted free agent this offseason if he declines his $35.6 million player option for the 2023-24 campaign.

He is still an effective playmaker, averaging 21.0 points and 10.7 assists per game for the Sixers this past season. Harden shot 44.1 percent from the field, and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc in the 2022-23 season.

4. Kristaps Porzingis

Porzingis also could opt out of his contract with the Washington Wizards and become a free agent this summer.

He enjoyed his best season in years in the 2022-23 campaign, averaging 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He shot 49.8% from the field and 38.5% from the 3-point area.

Porzingis' ability to space the floor with his outside shots and protect the rim with his defense makes him an enticing option for the Lakers.

5. Fred VanVleet

The Raptors may let VanVleet go this summer after they failed to make the playoffs this past season.

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Their loss may be the Lakers’ gain if Los Angeles opts to sign the veteran point guard, per Bleacher Report.

VanVleet averaged 19.3 points, 7.2 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game for Toronto last campaign.

Celtics avoid elimination again

Sports Brief recently reported on the Celtics’ win over the Heat in Game 5.

Derrick White starred for Boston, scoring 24 points in Thursday’s victory.

He shot 8 of 11 from the floor, including 6 of 8 from beyond the arc.