Lakers Rumors: Latest on DeAndre Jordan, Trade Plans and More
Through the first wave of free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers have been both quiet and hard at work attempting to woo the biggest names on the market.
In theory, all looks great for the Lakers. D'Angelo Russell is on board alongside Julius Randle, Los Angeles is Los Angeles and Kobe Bryant has a few years left. As an added bonus, the league itself gets an infusion of cap space soon.
Still, the news surrounding the organization has slowed to a trickle while the front office works on visits, pitches and more. Below, let's take a look at some of the recent updates off the rumor mill.
Clearing Cap Space
Given the team's obvious interest in key free agents such as DeAndre Jordan, LaMarcus Aldridge and others, it makes sense general manager Mitch Kupchak and the front office want to shed cap space.
Despite the frenzy of the open market, it sounds like the Lakers are multitasking quite well by working the phones in such an effort. Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported the rumblings:
Want a bit of context? ESPN's Kevin Pelton explains the franchise's current cap situation:
The Lakers don't want two max contracts this offseason, of course, but it just goes to show what a hole the franchise remains in right now. It should go without saying, then, that this rebuild isn't exclusive to one year.
So it goes when the team still owes Bryant a cap hit of $25 million next season, per Spotrac. The good news? If a trade akin to a salary dump occurs, it means something much bigger could be on the way.
Jordan Hill Return?
Like most expected, the Lakers declined the team option of big man Jordan Hill.
With Randle on board and the allure of a major free agent coming to town to play next to him, it made sense to nix a $9 million commitment. The 27-year-old forward can be a key contributor, but there's no reason to pay him starter money if he doesn't sit in such a capacity.
Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News revealed the team still wants Hill back: "Despite declined his team option worth $9 million only a day earlier, the Lakers expressed interest in re-signing Jordan Hill as a free agent, according to a league source familiar with the situation."
At a glance, bringing Hill back might not make the most sense in the world, not with Randle, Tarik Black, Larry Nance Jr. and Robert Sacre on the roster.
But Hill has been a rock for the franchise over the course of the last four years, this past season posting averages of 12 points and 7.9 rebounds. Should he want to return, it's the sort of key depth a winning organization goes out of its way to bring back and make room for, so keep an eye out for news centered on both parties.
DeAndre Jordan Courtship
Perhaps the best the Lakers can do this offseason is grab a player like Jordan, which isn't such a bad thing if the front office can build on it in future offseasons.
With so many teams gunning hard for someone like Aldridge, and his visit with the Lakers allegedly not going quite well, per ESPN.com, the front office might instead prioritize Jordan.
This thought does nothing short of increase after Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated revealed details about Jordan's meeting with the Lakers:
Jordan would be quite the get for the Lakers. A 26-year-old big who just averaged 11.5 points, 15.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game with playoff experience under his belt doesn't come around often.
Besides the obvious traits like productivity, Jordan would also provide a strong veteran example for younger guys like Randle, helping in the now and down the road.
For a player who didn't seem to enjoy a small role behind others with the Los Angeles Clippers, Jordan must like what he sees with the Lakers, where he will be one of the first options, a centerpiece and, as an added bonus, won't have to move far, if at all.
Granted, the free-agency battle royale between teams remains in its infancy. But good reports on Jordan and the Lakers are a start in the right direction for a team still hoping to regain its positioning as a top-tier destination for free agents.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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