Lakers Rumors: Latest Buzz, Analysis on LA's Top Free-Agent Targets
With free agency opening on Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers have a rich franchise legacy, some promising young players in place and a big market as primary selling points to the top stars looking for new teams.
But on the heels of a 17-65 season and amid a transition to a new coach in Luke Walton, it will take some masterful persuasion for the Lakers to lure their big-name targets.
Below is a breakdown of the latest buzz surrounding Los Angeles as it prepares to hopefully land at least one proven, All-Star-caliber addition to the roster.
Kevin Durant's Visit Schedule Finalized, Won't Meet with Lakers
Turner Sports' David Aldridge reported Durant will meet with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics on Saturday and the Miami Heat on Sunday.
ESPN insider Chris Broussard confirmed earlier on Wednesday that the Lakers indeed wouldn't get a shot to give their pitch to the four-time NBA scoring champion.
Any of the destinations Durant chooses ultimately hurts the Purple and Gold. Their Staples Center rival, the Clippers, would stand to widen their advantage in the battle for L.A. basketball glory by acquiring Durant.
It'd almost feel like cheating if Golden State or San Antonio got KD, considering they were the top two teams in the West this past season.
Only the Celtics have won more NBA titles than the Lakers, so Durant's departure there would also be a hit to L.A. from a long-view perspective. Miami had a strong 2015-16 campaign in finishing third in the East and could challenge for the top spot in the conference with Durant in the fold.
Now that they know they won't have a shot at the most sought-after free agent, the Lakers will have to pivot to other marquee players they're coveting.
Lakers Among Teams Interested in Mike Conley
Broussard reported the Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans are also going to try to land the longtime Memphis Grizzlies floor general.
Although the Lakers are in need of upgrades at virtually every position, Conley's position should be the least of their priorities. Presuming they can retain restricted free agent Jordan Clarkson, they also have 2015 No. 2 overall pick D'Angelo Russell as a fully capable point guard.
Splurging a max contact on Conley doesn't make a ton of sense. Although he's a proficient distributor and stellar perimeter defender, Conley isn't the type of franchise-changing force L.A. needs.
Sam Amick of USA Today weighed in on Conley's potential departure from Memphis—a possibility he views as remote:
Given that 2015 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams is also a factor in the Lakers' backcourt rotation, there's little need for someone like Conley. The only plausible scenarios are if Clarkson gets away or if Los Angeles decides to sell high on Russell and trade him at this early juncture of his career.
The Nets should make Conley a stronger pitch since they waived Jarrett Jack on Thursday, per a team announcement.
Houston has a better roster in place to sell Conley, not to mention a proven star in lead guard James Harden. The Pelicans have the likes of Anthony Davis to sell Conley on as a superior option in the West.
So far, two would-be Lakers targets who simply aren't realistic. Who can L.A. fans hope to acquire among the remaining options?
Analysis of Stars on LA's 'Wish List'
Per Broussard, the Lakers' remaining desired acquisitions include Atlanta Hawks big man Al Horford, Heat star Hassan Whiteside, Pelicans stretch-4 Ryan Anderson, Warriors forward Harrison Barnes and Charlotte Hornets wing Nicolas Batum.
Horford and Randle would present matchup problems, but the four-time All-Star in Atlanta is likely looking to join a more realistic contender rather than try to join the pantheon of Lakers legends on such a youthful squad. At age 30, Horford is bound to want a chance at a ring sooner.
The same may not be true for Whiteside, who's just hitting his stride in the NBA at age 27 and could grow alongside LA's young core throughout his prime. He'd still be in a big market and warm weather like he would be in Miami.
L.A. will be bummed to learn, though, that Whiteside won't meet with the Lakers. Basketball Insiders' Alex Kennedy reported Thursday he'll only meet with the Heat, Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers.
Anderson is a good fit to a degree should Walton indeed run a system similar to Golden State's, where he was an assistant. A sizable three-point shooter like Anderson would fit well in Walton's offense, but it might not be worth paying him a lucrative, eight-figure contract as a prospective bench player.
Speaking of fits for Walton, few are more ideal than Barnes, who's played for the Warriors and hasn't gotten the chance to prove he's a franchise-caliber player.
Barnes' value is among the most difficult to gauge on the open market as a result, though. The fact he plays the 3 and 4 creates a clash of sorts with Randle and recent No. 2 overall draft pick Brandon Ingram.
A sticking point is that Barnes is a restricted free agent, meaning the Warriors can match any offer—presuming they have enough cap space to do so. And Barnes has expressed a desire to return.
"When you peel away the individual stats and the money that could be made, all that kind of pales in comparison to championships. That's what it's all about." said Barnes, per Sporting News' Sean Deveney.
As for Batum, he has the best blend of experience and all-around skill set to justify a big contract and to take pressure off Ingram as he makes his NBA transition. In the event the Lakers land Batum, Ingram could come off the bench and be a big spark for LA's second unit, rather than having to do too much in his first year.
With averages of 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists last season in Charlotte, Batum is the ideal "glue guy" but also a player with upside to explore at age 27. He was a complementary player with the Portland Trial Blazers before joining the Hornets, where lead guard Kemba Walker commands a lot of usage.
In a more egalitarian offense with a faster pace, perhaps Batum can elevate his game to another level under Walton. Unfortunately, Batum will only meet with the Lakers by phone, per ESPN's Marc J. Spears (via ESPN's Tim MacMahon).
With Batum and Whiteside as the most logical options reportedly off the table, the pickings will likely be slim, meaning LA's young players will have to step up immediately for hope of marked improvement in 2016-17.
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