Fansided

NBA Rumors: Lakers to ‘aggressively pursue’ Hassan Whiteside

By Charles Rahrig V

Apr 1, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) reacts during the game against the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Miami won 112-106. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) reacts during the game against the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Miami won 112-106. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

According to a report, the Los Angeles Lakers will be going all in on Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside in free agency.

Next: Best All-Time Starting 5 From Every NBA Team

Even though free agency is still a little less than a week away, teams are already setting up their free agency meeting and doing the behind-the-scenes to work to make sure they can strike once free agency begins.

One team that has plenty of money to spend in free agency and can boast a talented young roster is the Los Angeles Lakers. After drafting Brandon Ingram in the draft, the Lakers have one of the best young rosters in the NBA and their cap flexibility should make them a feasible option for free agents.

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers will be very aggressive in their pursuit of Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside. Because the Heat don’t own his “Bird Rights”, Whiteside can get a big deal anywhere he goes.

"The Los Angeles Lakers plan to aggressively pursue Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside when NBA free agency starts, according to league sources.With rim protection and perimeter shooting ranking as the Lakers’ foremost areas of concern heading into the open market, sources told ESPN.com that Whiteside has emerged as a priority target for L.A."

The Lakers will certainly have plenty of competition for the services of Whiteside, but they have a lot to offer and they can give him the money that he wants. Add in the Los Angeles market and it should be a very appealing choice for the center.

The Lakers are also hoping to get a meeting with Kevin Durant according to the article. That will be a much tougher target to land.

For more NBA Free Agency coverage, be sure to visit our hub page.

Home/NBA