The 2022 NBA Free Agency period is mere minutes away, and the league has already been turned upside down by Kevin Durant. Before signings can be formally announced, let's parse through the scuttlebutt and summarize which players remain on the table for the Los Angeles Lakers (that we know of).

A brief reminder: Based on the current state of the roster — barring potential trades — the Lakers have six roster spots to fill. Because they're about $30 million over the salary cap and just above the luxury tax threshold, they only have the taxpayer mid-level exception (~$6.5 million, which can be broken up) and veteran minimum exceptions at their disposal.

Broadly speaking, the Lakers are seeking versatility, shooting, 3-and-D wings, defensive acumen, youth, and durability. They could use rim protection and rebounding, as well.

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Reported Lakers Free Agency Targets

According to The Athletic's Jovan Buha, the Lakers have their sights set on the following names as potential recipients of either the full mid-level exception or a portion of the MLE:  Otto Porter Jr., T.J. Warren, Gary Harris, Nicolas Batum, Caleb Martin, Cody Martin, Mo Bamba, Danuel House Jr., Jeremy Lamb, Nemanja Bjelica, Jeremy Lamb, Jevon Carter and Juan Toscano-Anderson.

The Lakers have also been linked to veterans including Blake Griffin (no thanks), Danilo Gallinari, and Victor Oladipo.

Also worth noting: Los Angeles and Malik Monk shared mutual interest in running it back, but Monk signed with the Sacramento Kings.

Of the above names, here are the five top options for the Lakers' MLE.

5) Nicolas Batum 

Batum fits the mold of a traditional 3-and-D, and he's coming off a nice year with the Clippers. On the flip side, signing recognizable veterans didn't work out for the Lakers last summer, and Darvin Ham's Lakers want to be younger, faster, and more athletic. Yahoo! previously reported the Lakers' interest in the 33-year-old. (Update: Batum has inked a deal with the Clippers.)

4) Mo Bamba

Bamba — who was connected to Los Angeles by the Orlando Sentinel, too — is a popular option amongst the fanbase. It's easy to understand why. The 7'0 former lottery pick is just 24, and he would give the Lakers a high-upside stretch-5 — an archetype the team has sorely lacked. He's coming off a quality campaign in which he averaged 14.9 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per 36 minutes while knocking down 38.1% of his triples.

3) Gary Harris

The 27-year-old wing is a bit smaller than other 3-and-D candidates, but he would fulfill the Lakers' hopes of landing more two-way players. Harris averaged 11.1 PPG on 38.4% three-point shooting in 2021-22 while offering the ability to guard up to three positions on the perimeter.

2) Otto Porter Jr.

The Golden State Warriors are going to have to let a few role players walk, and the Lakers are (smartly) monitoring the situation. Porter Jr. is among the soon-to-be-ex-Warriors in the running for the Lakers TPMLE, as the Warriors are reportedly not dead-set on using their mid-level (they didn't for 2021-22).

Aside from a few injury concerns, Porter Jr. would represent an ideal use of the Lakers' MLE. At 6'8, he certainly checks the Large Two-Way Wing box. The 29-year-old shot 37% from downtown last season and brings proven defensive chops — even if his athleticism has declined a tad.

1) T.J. Warren

Speaking of 6'8 wings, earlier this week, I tapped Warren as the best candidate for the Lakers MLE. Warren has played four games over the past two years, so his durability is a major concern — perhaps enough to steer Los Angeles away. However, he averaged 20 PPG in the last season he played and could potentially be a deadly third or fourth option if his left foot is truly healed from stress fractures (he supposedly could have returned in the second half of 2021-22 had the Indiana Pacers not thrown in the towel).

A few other names to watch who aren't free agents: Buddy Hield, Coby White, and…oh, yeah: Kyrie Irving.