The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the few NBA teams counting down the hours until the end of the regular season so they can begin to adjust their free agency and draft plans in order to begin rebuilding quickly. With Kobe Bryant entering what is expected to be his final season in the league, the Lakers are aiming to put a few key pieces in this season and a few key pieces in place in 2016 in order to regain their championship form. The Lakers have money to spend for 2015, but it is potential moves in 2016 currently grabbing headlines.
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook are preparing to team up in 2016 and play for the Lakers. Windhorst is an NBA Insider and believes that the relationship between Love and Westbrook could push the players to reteam in Los Angeles like when they both played for UCLA in college. Westbrook is a free agent in 2016 so the Lakers will have to wait on the point guard, but Love could technically become a free agent in 2015 and bolt to Los Angeles with the right contract. With limited assetts and draft picks, a deal for Westbrook is simply out of the question for the franchise, but they can easily offer Love a solid amount of money.
Westbrook has been hearing the recruiting chants come of the Lakers faithful. The point guard will be highly sought after when it is time for him to test the market while several teams could call about a potential trade price. Currently putting together an MVP caliber season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Westbrook denies any ideas of heading elsewhere.
According to Darnell Mayberry of the Oklahoman, Westbrook is simply shaking off the recruiting efforts of Lakers fans who shouted at him the last time the Thunder played in the Staples Center. Much like Kevin Durant is doing, Westbrook is saying all of the right things to the press in regards to free agency, stressing that it is a year away and not on his mind.
The Lakers are pushing for star quality over the next two years. They are looking to build up in preparation for when the Bryant era comes to a close and Westbrook and Durant are certainly two good options to help. According to CBSSports.com, the Lakers are currently preparing to press hard for Rajon Rondo in the coming offseason over players like Goran Dragic or Reggie Jackson. If the Lakers were to sign Rondo this summer, a deal for Westbrook will not be happening in 2016. Bryant is already pushing for Rondo to come out west which could alter the free agency plans for the franchise going forward.