The Los Angeles Lakers are eagerly awaiting the start of practices and the regular season, but before all of that can begin the team has to prepare for what will be a wild and wacky NBA offseason. With just a week or two dedicated to free agency and trades with limited restrictions, you can bet the LA front offices will be working effortlessly in the coming weeks.
Restricted Free Agents: None
Unrestricted Free Agents: PF Joe Smith, SG Shannon Brown, C Theo Ratliff
While none of these players figure to play a huge role in LA should they re-sign with the team, one has to expect the front office to contact Shannon Brown and attempt to keep him with the Lakers. He served as a great spark plug off the bench in 2010-2011 and his athleticism can create matchup problems with other teams as soon as he hits the floor. There's a chance a different team could promise Brown more money and a bigger role, but the demand for the un-drafted shooting guard should not be too high.
As for Smith and Ratliff, both could stay in Los Angeles should they be willing to sign for somewhere around the league minimum.
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