The Los Angeles Lakers are doing everything that they can to create enough cap space for a max contract, but they're still keeping some of the players that showed potential last season.
According to reports, the Lakers have extended qualifying offers to point guard Alex Caruso and forward Johnathan Williams, making them restricted free agents.
The Lakers are extending qualifying offers to Alex Caruso and Johnathan Williams. Williams becomes a two-way player if he accepts.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) June 26, 2019
Caruso, 25, has played in 25 games for the Lakers last season, averaging 9.2 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.7 rebounds. Most Laker fans remember him for his 32-point explosion against the Los Angeles Clippers back on April 5.
Over the past two seasons, Caruso spent most of his time in the G-League playing for the South Bay Lakers, but when he's called up, he's showing flashes of becoming a great floor general.
As for Williams, the 23-year-old center went undrafted last year but was able to secure a contract with the Lakers. He played 24 games for the Lakers last season, averaging 6.5 points and 4.1 boards.
When the Purple and Gold had key injuries to JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler, Williams' number was often called, and he provides the team with energy and hustle, especially on the rebounding department. Like Caruso, Williams spent most of last season in the G-League.
Among the two, Caruso is the one more likely to make it to the main roster, especially since he seems to have earned the respect of some people within the Lakers organization. But do not count Williams out just yet.
If he continues to improve over the next couple of months, he might just find himself donning the purple and gold colors regularly next season.
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