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The Charlotte Hornets want Coby White back next year.

The Los Angeles Lakers will look to add talent this offseason with their cap space, and Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White may be on the table. White was acquired by Charlotte this season and played a huge role in their ascension during the second half of the season. The Lakers will have enough money to make a real run at White and steal him away from the Hornets if they feel he’s worth it.

Fadeaway World revealed why White may make sense for the Lakers:

“Coby White is the most realistic outside target on this list (of athletic guards). He is not the most talented player here, but his combination of age, shooting, free agency status, and role fit makes him a serious option.

The Lakers can offer a more specific role next to Doncic. White would not need to be the main guard. He would be asked to pressure the rim, shoot threes, attack closeouts, and run offense for second units. That is a role he can handle.”

If the Lakers want to add another guard scorer capable of creating his own offense, White might be the best realistic name available. However, it may be a risky move adding more guards when they need to improve the wings and big man situation.

Why Lakers Could Avoid Coby White

The Lakers will have money to spend, but there are only so few names that they can pay. Austin Reaves is forecasted to receive a massive contract to make him the second most paid player on the team behind Luka Doncic.

Lakers management still hopes to retain LeBron James, and it is unknown what financial offer he is looking for if he returns for another season or longer. Important names like Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura, and Jaxson Hayes are all on the free agent market this summer to warrant new contracts to stay.

General Manager Rob Pelinka’s game plan is reportedly to add more defense and wing depth for the ideal Luka offense. Another guard like White is hard to fit into the budget with all these other plans in mind. White is not likely to accept a cheap deal and will prefer to stay in Charlotte unless someone pays him to leave.

Argument For Lakers Signing Coby White

The Lakers will have Doncic and Reaves as their starting backcourt, but there are no other trustworthy guards on the roster. Bronny James would be the top reserve guard if the Lakers can’t afford to keep Smart and Kennard.

White makes sense as one of the best names to run the offense if they sign someone via free agency with limited options. The bench role for Charlotte showed how much White can help a team by being an elite sixth men.

Doncic and Reaves both have dealt with injuries this season to make it more important to have a reserve ready in case one or both miss time next year. White could end up in Los Angeles due to this variable, but Smart is likely a cheaper option desiring to stay with the Lakers.