The Los Angeles Lakers would ideally like to retain Pau Gasol in free agency. The veteran center is about to hit the market after his current deal expired and is getting plenty of interest from other teams in need of a versatile big man. Gasol would like to sign with a winning team and get a pay raise at the same time, something the Lakers might not be able to offer. If he heads elsewhere, who replaces him?
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Gasol has not ruled out a return to Los Angeles, but fully intends to test the market before coming to a decision. The New York Knicks are making hard push for the center to come and re-join Phil Jackson in hopes that Gasol entices Carmelo Anthony to re-sign with the Knicks instead of going elsewhere. However, the Los Angeles Lakers are considering a Gasol, Anthony team up out west instead. If that fails to happen, the Lakers need backup plan and are sorting through options before the market opens up.
The first player on the Lakers' wish list is current Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe. Right now, the Pistons are trying to determine if they should retain Monroe and retain Josh Smith or trade away Smith and keep the young center. Signing Monroe will not be easy for the Lakers. He is a restricted free agent and ESPN is reporting that the Pistons are favoring any offer placed on the center.
Marcin Gortat is the other player the Lakers will take a glance at to replace Gasol. The Washington Wizards center has seen his stock rise with the recent success of the franchise. According to CSN Washington, the Wizards plan on going all they can to retain their center in free agency, but the Lakers will make a push. Gortat made $7.7 million last season and likely wants to stay in that range with his next deal.
The Lakers pursuit of Monroe and Gortat come after trades for players like Omer Asik and Roy Hibbert have been denied. The Rockets opted to send Asik to the New Orleans Pelicans inexchange for a protected first-round draft pick. Larry Bird remains adamant that Hibbert's recent struggles does not mean he is getting traded any time soon.
The Lakers need to make some splashy moves if they are going to get Kobe Bryant a championship in the next two years. Keeping Gasol would be ideal, but with pressure coming from other teams, they might need a few backup plans should he head elsewhere.