Lakers News: Latest Free-Agent Buzz on LaMarcus Aldridge, Iman Shumpert and More

The Los Angeles Lakers may be on the verge of striking out on one of free agency's biggest names, but that doesn't mean their pursuit of improvement is being hindered entirely.

With a variety of role players taking calls and fielding offers, the Lakers find themselves in the mix for a handful of intriguing perimeter weapons who could help bolster their offerings on both ends of the floor.

After ranking 17th in three-point percentage (34.4) and 26th in opponents' long-distance conversion rate (36.3 percent), it's only reasonable to expect L.A. to continue pursuing improvements in the three-and-D department.  

Lakers Out on Aldridge? 

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According to the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan, the Lakers can start shifting their attention to signing players not named LaMarcus Aldridge: 

However, Aldridge's representatives were quick to rebuff the notion that Aldridge had crossed any teams off his list: 

Whether the agency's refutation was a leverage play or not remains to be seen, but Bresnahan's reporting certainly doesn't bode well for the Purple and Gold. 

Under head coach Byron Scott, the Lakers have been notoriously averse to advanced stats, and Bresnahan emphasized that as a key component of the team's failed pitch:

"The Lakers are a mess in terms of basketball stuff right now, Kobe or no Kobe," CBSSports.com's Matt Moore wrote. "Byron Scott is coaching an old-school mentality, feed-the-post type style that definitely will give Aldridge ample opportunities, but Aldridge has also thrived in a system that balanced with weakside 3-point shooters." 

Last season, the Lakers ranked 24th in offensive efficiency, 25th in threes attempted and sat right around the league average in pace, according to Basketball-Reference.com. 

Stigmatized as NBA luddites, the Lakers are in a tough spot. Their roster is still a major work in progress despite padding it with promising young talent (i.e. D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson), but it could take a stylistic overhaul to change perception 180 degrees. 

But Interested in Iman Shumpert?

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Update: Wednesday, July 1, 10:10 p.m. ET

According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to re-sign Iman Shumpert to a four-year deal: 

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The Lakers could desperately use some reinforcements to help defend on the perimeter, so it makes sense the team's front office is checking in on one of the market's more polished three-and-D threats, according to Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy:  

Wojnarowski followed things up with an update early Wednesday evening: 

Now, that's not a definitive indication the Lakers are chasing after Iman Shumpert with gusto, but the Cleveland Cavaliers' financial binge on Kevin Love (five years, $110 million) and Tristan Thompson (five years, $80 million) means the team could opt to let Shumpert walk if it doesn't want to foot an even larger luxury-tax bill next season.  

Considering the Lakers' only reliable options on the wing at the moment are Kobe Bryant and Nick Young, the team could seriously benefit from a lengthy, pesky defender like Shumpert who could slot in as the franchise's perimeter ace right away. 

Wayne Ellington Fielding Offers

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Speaking of depth on the wing, the Lakers haven't discounted the possibility of reuniting with swingman Wayne Ellington after his first year with the club. 

"The Lakers contacted Ellington shortly after free agency began on Tuesday evening to express interest in retaining him," the Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Medina wrote, citing a league source. "Cleveland, Golden State, Washington, San Antonio and Atlanta also showed interest, a league source said, though Ellington hopes his future rests with the purple and gold."

And after Scott spoke highly of the 27-year-old, it's hardly surprising to see mutual adoration here. 

"He made himself a valuable part of this team,” Scott said, according to Medina. "We don’t know what next year holds. But he has shown 30 teams he knows how to play the game."

During his first season with the Lakers, Ellington ranked tops among all L.A. players who appeared in at least 20 games by drilling 37 percent of his threes on 3.7 attempts per night. A career 38.2 percent shooter from distance, Ellington has the catch-and-shoot tools to make a steady impact off the bench.