L.A. Lakers: Big Week Ahead for Lakers

There figures to be a flurry of activity around Lakers headquarters starting next week.

On Monday, December 5, teams are allowed to start speaking directly with players in free agency. Deals cannot be agreed upon until Friday, December 9, but Monday marks the beginning of this negotiating period. 

The Lakers are not expected to make big free agent signings given their restriction to the mini-mid level exception of $3.2 million per year over three years. However, the Lakers can offer a sign-and-trade deal to sought-after free agents should they choose to trade away players currently under contract.

Training camp will also begin next week on Friday. The Lakers' training facilities in El Segundo have been used by a handful of players this past week, but Friday marks the first official day of training camp.

It remains to be seen which Lakers will continue attending voluntary workouts next week before training camp begins Friday. Thus far, Devin Ebanks, Derek Fisher, Matt Barnes and Metta World Peace have all been spotted using the facilities.

But come Friday, the full cast of characters will arrive for their formal introduction to the new Lakers coaching staff and will begin their first chapter after the retirement of the triangle offense. 

League-wide, next week is also significant, as the latest labor proposal is expected to be ratified through a majority vote of the 450-plus NBA players and 30 owners.