Lakers Rumors: Evaluating Latest on Big Names Expected to Be Free-Agency Targets

The Los Angeles Lakers added another young asset to a team that is quickly filling up with them. Now it's time for the team to turn its attention to free agency, where it has money to spend and a few holes to fill. 

Specifically, the team needs veteran leadership. General manager Mitch Kupchak hasn't been shy about stating that. 

Talking to the media after the team acquired Brandon Ingram and Ivica Zubac in the 2016 NBA draft, Kupchak alluded to how important it would be for the team to surround the young talent with older players who could be leaders that help them win games now, per Joey Ramirez of Lakers.com:

"

I think history tells you that a bunch of young guys on a team is probably not a good thing. They look around for leadership and advice from somebody who’s been through this a couple of times, and if there’s nobody to talk to then they really don’t know how to handle the situation. So I think we will look to add some veteran leadership and hopefully not only leadership, but guys who can help us win games. It’s unlikely that would come about trade, although it’s possible. But it’s more likely to come about through free agency.

"

Fortunately for Los Angeles, there are some options on the market that could fulfill the role that Kupchak is looking for. 

The possibilities range from highly unlikely to a good bet, so the Lakers will be one of the most interesting teams come July 1. Here's a look at the latest on the big names that the Lakers will (or won't) be pursuing in a few short days. 

The Long Shot: Lakers Not on Kevin Durant's List

Alonzo Adams/Associated Press

Based on size and skill set, Brandon Ingram has drawn some early comparison's to Kevin Durant. It appears as though he's as close as the Lakers will get to having KD in purple and gold, though. 

The Lakers are in need of a superstar to pull their young ensemble of talent together. With Durant hosting teams in Los Angeles, it would be easy to connect the dots that the Lakers could be in play, but Sam Amick of USA Today reports that the Lakers have not made the short list of teams that he will hear pitches from:

"

Know this much about the Kevin Durant free agency sweepstakes that has already unofficially begun: He wouldn’t be taking a single meeting outside of Oklahoma City if he already knew what jersey he planned to wear next season.

So on July 1 when the Thunder, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat start to come his way to discuss the prime years of his career, he will be all ears. The man isn’t one to waste anybody’s time.

"

This shouldn't be a shock to anyone who has followed Durant's free agency. He's made it clear that he's going to make a basketball decision based on where he can win right away. Right now, that's not with the Lakers. 

All six of the teams that Amick listed as candidates for Durant are coming off postseason runs. The Celtics and Heat have the advantage of being in the thin Eastern Conference, while the Spurs, Warriors and Clippers all have a strong nucleus in place that would become the arguable title favorite with KD. 

So while the Lakers can certainly go a long way to become a contender this offseason, it's not happening instantaneously with the signing of Durant. 

Instead, the Lakers should make it their goal to be in a better position to sign a marquee free agent next season when Russell Westbrook is set to become an unrestricted free agent. That means spending some money on veterans that are going to make the roster more appealing, and getting one of the next two options to sign on the dotted line would be progress. 

Getting More Unlikely: Al Horford

Heading into last week's draft, ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported that the Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons and the Lakers would be involved in the Al Horford sweepstakes. Now, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities is reporting that the list of teams vying for his services will be even bigger:

"

Heard today Wizards/Celtics/Heat also expected to be in mix for Horford. #Twolves likely call. But won't get him. https://t.co/4Jt06QC6jp

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) June 25, 2016"

Horford will be among the hottest commodities in free agency this year.

At 30 years old, he still has some mileage in his legs and is the kind of athletic 5 that can offer a team flexibility in a small-ball lineup—an asset that more and more teams will be looking to add with teams like the Warriors having success going with smaller lineups.

Considering the Lakers just hired head coach Luke Walton, who came from the Warriors coaching staff under Steve Kerr, it makes sense that they're interested in bringing Horford into the fold.  

He's used to playing with an uptempo team, as Atlanta ranked No. 8 in pace last season, per NBA.com. With eight playoff appearances in nine seasons, he can also bring the kind of experience and leadership that Kupchak is looking for this offseason. 

However, the Lakers could have a difficult time prying Horford away from Atlanta. According to Zach Lowe of ESPN.com, Horford enjoys playing in Atlanta and values the additional fifth-year that the Hawks can offer him as much as anything else in making his decision.

At 30, this may be the last time that Horford hits the market as a max-level player. That's going to put an extra burden on teams trying to get him to leave Atlanta, as they simply can't offer the same money that his current team can. 

That makes the next target the most likely one to actually come to L.A...

The Safe Bet: Hassan Whiteside

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

If you had to bet on the Lakers landing one prized free agent this summer, the safe money would be on Hassan Whiteside. The big man is in line for a big pay raise after going for 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game. 

According to Stein and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com, the Lakers will "aggressively pursue" the Heat center when free agency starts on July 1. 

From a talent perspective, Whiteside fits what the Lakers need to a T. ESPN Stats & Info noted the considerable upgrade he would provide over what the team had last season:

Even better news for the Lakers is that it appears Whiteside seems to be heading into the process with an open mind. 

"I really don't think it's about loyalty," Whiteside said of his decision-making process, per Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel. "I think it's just about the best situation for myself and that's what I think it is."

That's not exactly a ringing endorsement for Miami. Even better for the Lakers is that—unlike Horford and Atlanta—the Heat can't offer Whiteside a fifth year because they only qualify for Early Bird rights on the center. 

That means everything is an even playing field, and the Lakers have their best shot at getting a difference-maker in free agency with Whiteside.