Lakers Rumors: Breaking Down Free-Agent Targets to Fill Frontcourt Need

The Los Angeles Lakers are slowly building a formidable roster, but adding a big-name free agent could accelerate the rebuilding process.

Adding No. 2 overall draft pick D'Angelo Russell to a lineup that should feature a healthy Kobe Bryant and talented young guard Jordan Clarkson would create a respectable backcourt. The problems come in the frontcourt, where the team has little hope for the future outside of last year's first-round pick, Julius Randle.

Fortunately, there are plenty of quality frontcourt targets available who could make an immediate impact with this team. Here is a look at some possibilities currently considering a future with the Lakers.

DeAndre Jordan

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

As one of the best interior defenders in the league, it's no wonder there is high demand for DeAndre Jordan this summer. According to ESPN.com's Chris Broussard, the Los Angeles Lakers are one of four teams that will meet with the center, along with the Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks.

The problem is the odds aren't exactly in the Lakers' favor, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times:

Broussard says Jordan is currently "50-50" between the Clippers and Mavericks, although he also adds that "sources told ESPN that Jordan wants a bigger role in the offense and is tired of being a third wheel behind Chris Paul and Blake Griffin with the team."

With the Lakers, Jordan could stay in the Los Angeles market while not even having to move. Meanwhile, he could have a bigger offensive role as the secondary option behind Bryant, truly developing his skills as a back-to-the-basket scorer.

From the Lakers' perspective, this would be a perfect fit, as the league's leading rebounder would join a team that recently declined the option of its previous top rebounder in Jordan Hill. The former Clippers star would bring the squad exactly what it needs and could become a new star for the future.

Greg Monroe

Mark Duncan/Associated Press

Although Greg Monroe does not have the defensive presence of Jordan, he is a better offensive player in the post. Despite not being a good fit alongside Andre Drummond with the Detroit Pistons, he still managed to average 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.

At this point, the New York Knicks are clearly the favorite to sign Monroe, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:

Despite this fact, the center is still planning on taking meetings with the Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers, according to Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. Zillgitt added the Lakers should not be overlooked in this race:

While Monroe did tell Darrell Williams of the Advocate that he is "looking to be with a team that’s ready to win," the Lakers could represent a chance for him to be a true low-post scorer with no one else in his way.

There would still be issues with finding a true rim protector—and Monroe doesn't have a whole lot of versatility within an offense—but the center could provide some much-needed balance to the roster.

LaMarcus Aldridge

This would be the true prize in the free-agent market for the Lakers. While the Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Heisler reported the team did show interest in trading for DeMarcus Cousins, LaMarcus Aldridge would represent as good of an addition after averaging 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game last season.

The four-time All-Star can also spread the floor better than the previous options and could fit in the offense alongside Randle going forward. Although Aldridge isn't much of a three-point shooter, 43.9 percent of his shots last season came outside of 16 feet, according to Basketball-Reference.com.

His mid-range game could help create an elite offense alongside the rest of the contributors within the roster.

The Lakers also have a good chance of signing the star, being the first in a long list of visits, according to David Aldridge of NBA.com:

Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times likes the team's odds:

There are a lot of targets available at various positions this offseason, but Los Angeles should put everything it has into bringing Aldridge onto the roster for next season.

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