Lakers Rumors: Latest Buzz on LeBron James and 2016 NBA Draft Plans

After a tumultuous season that saw the team finish 17-65, the Los Angeles Lakers could be busy this offseason in free agency and the 2016 NBA draft.

The Lakers are bringing in a new head coach in former Golden State Warriors assistant Luke Walton, and they will be looking to surge back to relevance with a young core and an intriguing free-agent class.

Here are some of the rumors surrounding the team.

Could the Lakers Land LeBron James?

LeBron James delivered on his promise to bring an NBA championship to Cleveland, and there are already rumors that he could bolt this offseason.

James can opt out of his contract and become a free agent this summer, and his past history suggests he is not afraid to change cities.

Should he decide to do this again, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith believes the Lakers would be a legitimate contender for James' services:

The spotlight of playing in Los Angeles would appeal to James, per Smith (via NESN.com's Ricky Doyle).

"There are some changes that LeBron would want made if he’s going to go to L.A. and wear the purple and gold," Smith said Monday on ESPN's First Take. "He obviously has aspirations beyond basketball. Being in the Los Angeles market wearing the purple and gold could very well facilitate all of that."

He also added on ESPN's Mike & Mike that a return to the Miami Heat would be another possibility.

While it seems unlikely that James would leave a team that just won an NBA title, in his hometown nonetheless, it is an interesting possibility to consider.

The Lakers have nice pieces in Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and D'Angelo Russell, and Walton has shown he can win with great players after the job he did filling in for Steve Kerr at Golden State.

Still, those pieces are not better than Kyrie Irving and—at the moment—Kevin Love, among the other supporting players Cleveland has. While James would likely propel the Lakers to the playoffs, they are in no position to challenge for a championship.

They would be there in time, but James is 31 years old. He does not have all the time in the world to win another ring, and staying with the Cavaliers is his best chance to do so in the near future.

Lakers Not Sold on Brandon Ingram?

For months now, it seemed like a lock that Brandon Ingram and Ben Simmons would go in some order within the top two picks of the draft, while the rest was up in the air.

However, with Simmons likely to go first overall, ESPN's Chad Ford said last Saturday that Los Angeles is weighing other options with its No. 2 overall pick (via CBS Sports' James Herbert).

"

I think we all assume that Ingram's going to be the guy at No. 2, but they've brought in Marquese Chriss, they've taken a long look at him.

They've brought in Dragan Bender, Jaylen Brown, and while I still believe that it will be Ingram at No. 2, the Lakers have explored other options. And again I think the concern with Ingram is his lack of strength and how NBA-ready he's going to be because of that.

"

Buddy Hield also worked out for the Lakers last Saturday, and he seemed confident in his performance, per Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News:

While all of the other players mentioned above would help the Lakers, they have an easy choice to make.

Ingram is a perfect fit in Walton's offense as a dynamic shooter who can space out the floor and make defenses guard on the perimeter. This is something opponents did not need to do last season, as the Lakers finished last in the NBA in three-point percentage.

Expect Ingram to be the pick, but not without some more drama leading up to the selection.

Statistics are courtesy of ESPN.com.