NBA Free Agency: Best Free-Agent Destinations In the NBA

4. Los Angeles Lakers

Mar 18, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol (16), guard Jodie Meeks (20), forward Metta World Peace (15), guard Steve Nash (10), forward Antawn Jamison (4) and guard Kobe Bryant (24) sit on the bench in the second half of the game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Lakers 99-76. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers are also a storied franchise, but also offer a little bit more in the chance of success and surrounding city category. The Lakers have won 16 rings in their history, second only to the Celtics. As a free-agent big man especially, the possibility to have your jersey retired along with Wilt Chamberlain, George Mikan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal is motivation enough to sign with the Lakers.

That alone is not enough to put the Lakers above the Celtics. It really lies in the other two reasons, city and success.

In terms of city, Los Angeles is one of the greatest cities in the world for a basketball player, or any celebrity for that matter. The Los Angeles nightlife ranks fifth in the US according to U.S News. Los Angeles also is home to Disneyland, Legoland and Universal Studios so whether you are a bachelor free agent or one married with children, LA offers the best of both worlds.

It’s a big market, to say the least.