On a day when the Lakers seemingly struck out with every big name free agent before the free agency period even opens, the Lakers do have their eyes on a lower-level free agent that could be an interesting target, per Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders.
The Pistons, Wizards, Bulls, Lakers and Mavericks are among the teams interested in restricted free agent Moe Harkless, per sources.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 1, 2016
Last season, Harkless had a bit of a resurgence with the Trailblazers under Terry Stotts. The St. John’s alumni averaged 6.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.6 steals in 18.7 minutes per game, having played in 78 games.
Those averages, spread across a per-36 minute rate, would be 12.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals.
Harkless did shoot just 27.9% from beyond the arc on just under two attempts per game, but has seen success in the past, hitting at a 38.3% clip in Orlando two years ago.
With the Blazers having tendered a qualifying offer to Harkless, the wingman is a restricted free agent. The Lakers are in desperate need of wings and, at just 23 years old and entering his fifth year in the league, Harkless would bring a rare mix of youth and experience to the Lakers.
He would also bring endless amounts of “How Can You Be Moe Harkless” jokes, which would help ease the loss of the Kelly Clarkson partnership likely lost this summer.
