Lakers Rumors: Latest on Marc Gasol, Tobias Harris and More

Squint, and it seems like it's easy to see what the Los Angeles Lakers have in mind when it comes to the rebuilding process.

General manager Mitch Kupchak and the front office shocked the globe by picking Ohio State's D'Angelo Russell in last Thursday's draft. Given the construction of the roster, it seems quite obvious the team will next turn its attention to adding another guard and securing a talented big man to pair with Julius Randle down low.

So far, what the rumor mill continues to spit out details these matters. It seems the Lakers are beginning to emerge in the realm of relevancy again, which means the pursuit of top-flight names can begin in earnest.

Lakers Jumping in Tobias Harris Sweepstakes?

One of the league's worst-kept secrets is the future of Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris.

It seems the Magic foreshadowed how they will handle the 22-year-old restricted free agent's contract situation with the selection of Mario Hezonja at No. 5 in last Thursday's draft.

According to Shams Charania of RealGM, the Lakers are one of the teams to watch in the developing situation: "The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks have also been long known as interested teams for Harris."

It makes perfect sense any way it's sliced. Harris is young and just averaged a career-high 17.1 points last season with a player efficiency rating of 16.76, per ESPN.com.

A pairing between the Lakers and Harris works for both parties. For Harris, it's a chance to take part in the rebuild of one of the league's most historic franchises and grow with a young core of players highlighted by Randle and Russell. 

For the Lakers, Harris is a starter at small forward right out of the gate, improving the team's win-now approach while doubling as a perfect long-term piece. Other franchises will gun for Harris, but the Lakers have quite a solid sales pitch, to say the least.

The Right Fit for DeAndre Jordan? 

The Lakers need a big man next to Randle down low. It's easy to swoon over trade possibilities and big-name free agents, but one name that's not coming up enough is DeAndre Jordan.

Jordan, now 26 years old, hits free agency amid a mountain of speculation that he wants to move on from the Los Angeles Clippers after seven campaigns with the team.

Such rumblings have legs now, too, thanks to a report from Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, who reveals the Lakers will make the trip to see Jordan: "The officials said four teams will visit Jordan at home—the Clippers, Lakers, Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks."

Perhaps most interesting of all is Turner's description of what Jordan wants: "The officials said Jordan wants to be more involved in the offense and wants to be an All-Star, and he's not sure whether those things can happen on the Clippers with All-Stars Paul and Blake Griffin."

Believe it or not, the Lakers might just be the franchise for the job. The aforementioned young core won't hog the spotlight. Kobe Bryant might have one year left, if not two, but he doesn't command the same attention he once did.

For the Lakers, again, there's a great sales pitch here, and the reward for them is a defensive juggernaut who averaged 11.5 points, 15 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game last year. Should Kupchak and Co. sell it right, Jordan won't have to move very far, if at all.

Don't Forget Marc Gasol

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Another possibility to keep in mind for the Lakers underneath the basket is one Marc Gasol.

The shoe fits in a great way. Gasol, 30, averaged 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game last year, his seventh campaign with the Memphis Grizzlies. He's a game-changing presence in the right system and a reliable threat on both ends of the court.

There seems to be just one problem when it comes to the Lakers' potential pursuit of the veteran big man—he doesn't sound interested.

The report comes from Turner's colleague, Mike Bresnahan: "Marc Gasol has no interest in the Lakers because of the uneasy last few years his brother spent with them, according to numerous people familiar with the situation."

It's one element of a potential worst-case scenario for the Lakers, the scenario being the team's inability to lure a big-name center to town. Should more feel the way Gasol allegedly does, it means the front office will need to ride out another season with Jordan Hill. 

There are worse scenarios, of course, but when expectations are so high around the organization after an excellent draft, anything less than fulfillment will disappoint.

Gasol's situation is unique, though, so don't count the Lakers out just yet when it comes to landing big-name free agents.

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