Lakers News: Rounding Up Latest on Jordan Hill, Free Agency and More

Most eyes gravitate toward the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the 2015 NBA draft. 

There are teams in a rebuild, sure. Some, such as the New York Knicks, already have a superstar in place (Carmelo Anthony) and a mastermind running the operation (president Phil Jackson). Other teams tout an insane amount of talent, such as the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Then there are the Lakers.

General manager Mitch Kupchak and Co. are in unfamiliar territory via a traditional rebuild. By draft's end, the team figures to feature a pair of top-five rookies acquired over the past two years and a fading superstar.

Or the front office could blow it all up with plenty of trade assets and revert back to instant-gratification mode.

Time reveals all, with the Lakers faithful left with nothing to do but gnaw at fingernails and keep up with news. Here's the latest.

Lakers Going All-in on Draft 

Is this doing their due diligence or sheer insanity?

With three picks in the draft, one at No. 2 and each coming no later than No. 34, most expected the Lakes to make the rounds with prospects, especially in such a deep class. 

Still, when Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times throws down official numbers, it's a bit staggering: "Over the past few weeks, the team has auditioned roughly 80 candidates at their practice facility in El Segundo."

As in, the Lakers sat around with their feet up while a whopping 80 prospects came to them. This includes Duke center Jahlil Okafor, Ohio State guard D'Angelo Russell and international sensation Emmanuel Mudiay. This seems familiar territory at this point. Los Angeles wouldn't mind a forward to pair with Julius Randle, but a guard to run the offense wouldn't hurt, either.

It's interesting, though, because of the prospects Los Angeles interacted with twice when it comes to workouts, it only left home base for Latvian forward Kristaps Porzingis. He's one of the fastest risers late in the process, a versatile big man who can step back and knock down shots from range.

Unless it's an elaborate smokescreen, the Lakers seem ready to shock the globe if necessary Thursday.

Re-Upping with the Reinforcements 

Last year, guard Dwight Buycks was a sight for sore eyes in Los Angeles.

It took an NBA hardship exemption, but the Lakers added Buycks in search of injury relief and got some stellar play out of him before he too went down with an injury.

Now the Lakers want to give the Marquette product another chance, per reporter David Pick: 

In six appearances with the Lakers last season, Buycks posted an average of 8.7 points, 2.3 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game with a player efficiency rating of 13.15, per ESPN.com. On just over 20 minutes per night, it was a strong showing.

At 26 years old, Buycks still offers a hint of upside as an elite shooter who can get others involved. With Jeremy Lin likely gone and no sure thing at the point in the draft, Los Angeles keeping him around as an insurance policy makes sense.

Jordan Hill's Future 

When it comes to the Lakers and their own free agents, folks tend to think of bigger names such as Jordan Hill.

With the feeling the Lakers want to make a big splash this offseason continuing to grow, it seems to diminish the chance Hill makes a return to the team. Los Angeles, if wanting to go for the splash, will need the cap space he would command if it exercised his option.

Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski breaks it down: "As the Los Angeles Lakers maneuver to free $24 million-plus of salary cap space for summer free agency, the franchise is unlikely to exercise the option on forward Jordan Hill’s contract for the 2015-16 season, league sources told Yahoo Sports."

Now 27 years old, Hill remains a quality option off the bench one season removed from averaging career highs of 12.0 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. 

As Pincus points out, though, keeping Hill around would cost a steep amount—unless the team does it with the intent to use him as a trade asset:

For the Lakers, moving on from Hill one way or another seems to make sense with Julius Randle on board and Ed Davis perhaps on his way back—not to mention the addition of a potential top-flight rookie.

Over the course of the past few years, the Lakers have put themselves in a situation to free up cap space, allowing them to then chase major names. Hill's contract comes down to simple logistics in this regard, so keep an eye on how the Lakers proceed.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.