NBA Rumors: Lakers could target Greg Monroe, Luol Deng in free agency
By Bryan Rose
The Los Angeles Lakers will likely do what they can in regards to acquiring assets before the NBA’s upcoming trade deadline, but their offseason may be where big moves await.
According to NBA salary cap guru Larry Coon, the Lakers could potentially target Greg Monroe and Luol Deng in free agency – news that comes on the heels of a report suggesting Deng is very unlikely to re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Meanwhile, multiple teams have been attempting to acquire Monroe from Detroit, but the Pistons reportedly continue to balk at any trade offers. If they keep him through the deadline, he’ll finish the season as a restricted free agent, where Coon feels the Lakers could potentially strike.
"There is also someone like Greg Monroe. He’s also going to be a restricted free agent, but his down year in Detroit perhaps means that the Pistons wouldn’t break the bank to keep him. If the Lakers think he’d bounce back once he’s out of Detroit, he’d be a good pickup. Another guy who comes to mind is Luol Deng. After the trade you had to give the Cavs the best shot at keeping him, but given the team’s results and the front office upheaval, he might be available as well."
It’s an under the radar move, but very shrewd at the same time. Of course, Monroe may not finish the season with the Pistons (or they could potentially match a free agent offer) so the stars would need to align for such a move to take place, but it certainly makes sense for Los Angeles.