Los Angeles Lakers rumors: Lakers will be active to set themselves up for the future
After the Los Angeles Lakers missed out on New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony, who chose to re-sign with the Knicks, they turned their attention elsewhere. The Lakers re-signed big man Jordan Hill and swingman Nick Young, then traded for Houston Rockets’ point guard Jeremy Lin, won the bid for the amnesty claim on Chicago Bulls’ veteran big man Carlos Boozer and signed Memphis Grizzlies’ big man Ed Davis.
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Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders believes the Lakers will continue to be active to set themselves up for the future.
"I think the Lakers are definitely setting themselves up for future deals, but I’m not sure it necessarily has to take place prior to the start of the season. Between now and next summer, it would not surprise me to see them make several deals. Not sure it will be quite the circus on a nightly basis with Nash. He’s been a great player and team mate throughout his career, so I could definitely see his fellow players showering him with love and respect he deserves. That will be a nice process to watch. He’ll definitely be acknowledged around the league (especially in Phoenix, Dallas, and Toronto), but I’m not sure how much he can be depended upon to play. Personally, I’d like to see him at least make it through the year without any major setbacks. It would be a shame to see a Hall of Fame career end on such a down note."
The Lakers can chase free agents in 2015 when Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love, Portland Trail Blazers’ power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, Memphis Grizzlies’ center Marc Gasol and Charlotte Hornets’ big man Al Jefferson can all become free agents. They could also wait until 2016 when their top target, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant will become a free agent. The 2016 free agency class also could include Brooklyn Nets’ point guard Deron Williams, Charlotte Hornets’ guard Lance Stephenson, Portland Trail Blazers’ swingman Nicolas Batum, Atlanta Hawks’ big man Al Horford and Chicago Bulls’ center Joakim Noah.