This summer will be a transformative offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers. After the anticipated roster losses, they will have a new head coach and a large number of new players.

D’Angelo Russell is one of the names that will probably go elsewhere. According to the most recent reports, Russell is expected to turn down his player option for the upcoming season and become a free agency without restrictions.

The All-Star guard may still be able to remain in Los Angeles in spite of everything. Russell is still available to the Lakers for a long-term contract.

It doesn’t make much sense for them to keep him and try to win it back with the same club, though, after witnessing his failures throughout the playoffs. The Lakers must instead look for better fits in the free-agent pool. Shooting is clearly their main need, especially now that Russell is gone.

Finding players who can consistently defend and shoot is difficult. Although those guys are among the most prized in the NBA, the Lakers could have some options this summer.

Even with Russell departing, the Lakers still have a lot of cap room, which is one of their problems. If more are needed, they can use Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Jarred Vanderbilt in a sign-and-trade or let them go.

However, the Lakers won’t have much money to deal with this summer beyond the taxpayer mid-level exception unless LeBron James signs a new contract with them for an absurdly low salary. Let’s examine the possible targets for them.

1. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

This would be KCP’s return to Los Angeles, and the Lakers would probably need to make additional cap space available or sign and trade. Although it would be challenging for the front staff, Caldwell-Pope must be the Lakers’ main priority this summer.

The Lakers are searching for a player just like Caldwell-Pope. The Lakers had him on a team-friendly contract previously, so it is very disappointing that general manager Rob Pelinka chose to include him in the Russell Westbrook trade.

Without a doubt, if KCP had still been around, the Lakers would have looked entirely different and considerably better.

The shooting guard, 31, is the quintessential 3-and-D player. He is a versatile guard who can make 40% of his threes and without any flaws.

Even though he doesn’t possess D’Angelo Russell’s shot creation, he is still a far more valuable player for a contender. Next