Lakers Rumors: Highlighting Whispers of Brook Lopez Trade Interest and More
Despite having already lost over 30 games this season, the Los Angeles Lakers are the talk of the NBA.
Many are wondering what roster moves the Lakers will make this season. The trade deadline is less than a month away, and as Nick Young told the media, next offseason's free-agency period is critical for the franchise.
“It’s tough, but I know it’s going to get better,” Young said, per Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. “This offseason is going to be big for us. It’s going to work out.”
A mix of the now and future takes center stage as the Lakers seem to have their toes in the water on the current market while also looking ahead to the offseason.
What could be is certainly a much better topic than what currently is.
The Brook Lopez Pursuit
Brook Lopez remains one of the hottest names on the market as the Brooklyn Nets hunt for a salary dump and potentially a bit in return.
Believe it or not, the Lakers have some interest, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski:
Money is not really a thing when it comes to the Lakers, but Lopez's $16.7 million cap hit in 2015, per Spotrac, does seem a bit steep.
Despite standing at 7'0" and 275 pounds, Lopez averages just 15.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. He is also a strange fit for a team that seemingly is rebuilding with youth, although Lopez's veteran experience could help along younger players like Julius Randle.
Wojnarowski does make it seem that teams interested in Lopez did not offer enough just yet, which may leave an opening for a Lakers squad that does not have a ton of tradeable assets in the first place.
Perhaps further helping the Lakers in their pursuit of Lopez is an underrated element: Lopez spent some of his youth in North Hollywood and went to college at Stanford.
If there is any indication in the slightest that Lopez wants to head back West and will re-sign with the Lakers, others teams may back off in their pursuit.
It is important to remember that Lopez is just 26 years old despite being in his seventh season, so if the staff believes he can be the centerpiece next to Randle beneath the rim in the coming years, look for the Lakers to ramp up their pursuit before the deadline.
Dragic Plans
Assuming he opts out of his contract, Goran Dragic is one of the hottest names on next offseason's market.
Given a crowded depth chart that also includes Isaiah Thomas, Tyler Ennis and Eric Bledsoe, it seems a forgone conclusion that Dragic will leave Phoenix. Add in that he turns 29 in May, and this may be his final shot to land a major contract.
If a note by Jeff Zillgitt and Sam Amick of USA Today is any indication, the Lakers will be first in line if and when Dragic is available: “The Lakers are also known to be interested in pairing Dragic with Kobe Bryant, but the list of suitors is expected to be long.”
Why will said list be long? Despite a slash line of 17.0/4.1/3.7 that is down from last season, the breakout campaign in which Dragic was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2013-14 is still fresh on the minds of teams around the league. His numbers are down due to a crowded situation and not poor play.
When recently asked by Medina at InsideSoCal.com about the Lakers, Dragic offered an interesting response:
"It’s not just L.A. I think everybody. Any team in the league. I’m rare in this position. I’ve been working hard and I can explore my options. Back in Europe, there are bad teams financially and teams that aren’t organized. But every team in the NBA is a good organization. It’s going to be tough. But I won’t think about that until after the season.
"
That sounds like a man who will take his time in a decision, something the Lakers may not enjoy.
A Dragic-Bryant pairing sounds scary because the veteran point shoots 36 percent from downtown on his career, an element the Lakers currently lack.
Expect to hear much more about Dragic and the Lakers in the coming months.
Stats and info courtesy of NBA.com unless otherwise specified.
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