Lakers Rumors: Latest Buzz on Team's Plans for Trade Market and Free Agency

Even though we're in the midst of the NBA Finals, the rumor mill is still swirling, especially when it comes to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers have been one of the league's marquee franchises for decades, but a recent lack of success has left them at the bottom of the NBA totem pole. With superstar Kobe Bryant now retired, the Lakers can turn the page on that chapter of their franchise and begin the process of rebuilding and returning the team to its glory days.

The first place that teams look during a rebuild is the NBA draft, where they can find young, cheap talent. If you have a high pick like the Lakers do on June 23 (No. 2 overall), your chances of finding a franchise cornerstone are even higher.

Another option is to trade that high pick for an established player. But Sean Deveney of Sporting News said last Thursday that the Lakers prefer to hold on to their pick lest a team blow them away with an offer.

"The consensus around the league is that the teams with slots 1-2 will hold on to their picks," Deveney wrote. "If a blockbuster develops for L.A., that could change, but nothing is imminent on that front."

So assuming the Lakers stand pat at No. 2, who will they end up selecting in the draft? As Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding reported, they plan to work out one of the top talents in the draft class:

Along with the LSU Tigers' Ben Simmons, the Duke Blue Devils' Brandon Ingram is widely regarded as one of the best prospects available in 2016. It makes sense that the Lakers want to see him in person. If the Philadelphia 76ers take Simmons first like many expect, Ingram will be there should the Lakers want him.

But just because the Lake Show has the second pick doesn't mean it should only focus on the consensus top two prospects in the draft pool. There are other players as well. Maybe some team will blow the Lakers away with a trade offer, and general manager Mitch Kupchak will find himself picking later in the lottery.

The Lakers need to do their due diligence on other prospects. And it appears they are. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, L.A. had another player in town over the weekend:

At this point, taking the Marquette Golden Eagles' Henry Ellenson second overall seems like a reach, but he's a skilled big man who can shoot, and the Lakers need help all over the floor. The 6'11" forward would bolster the Lakers frontcourt, and should the team end up moving back, he is someone L.A. could consider.

Aside from the draft, free agency is the next step in rebuilding a team. As Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders noted, the Lakers will have plenty of cap space next year. L.A. has always been a popular destination for free agents, so it will surely be in the mix for this summer's top available players.

Marc Stein of ESPN.com echoed as much when he said that the Lakers will pursue the biggest fish in the free-agency pond:

Of course, every team would love to land Kevin Durant. He's one of the best players in the league. The Lakers may not be the best team Durant can choose, but they can offer nice weather, the glitz of Los Angeles and the opportunity to become the next face of one of the league's most historically successful franchises.

Combine that with the second overall pick and some promising young talent, and you may have a legitimate pitch for Durant. 

This is an important summer for the Lakers. They have a high lottery pick and plenty of cash to spend in free agency. With some sage moves, Kupchak can make his team competitive in a hurry.