Los Angeles Lakers fans are holding out hope for the 2014 season. Injuries have really taken their toll on the squad and while all is not totally lost for success this season, things got a lot harder with Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant remain out. It was assumed that the Lakers would make a push to sign as many big free agents as they can next offseason, but now that might not be the case.
The most likely candidate to sign with the Lakers in the offseason is current Knicks' star Carmelo Anthony. However, Steve Kyler from Hoopsworld.com reports that appears to be no longer be an option as the Lakers might not be able to offer up the max contract Anthony wants.
"For weeks its been Anthony and the LA Lakers talked about as a likely pairing, however insiders doubted that the Lakers would make Anthony a max-level contract offer, but suggested if the Knicks would do a trade with the Clippers there might be a better fit, especially if competing for a championship right away is Anthony's goal," Kyler reported.
A trade does make sense. It seems unlikely that at this point in his career, Bryant has enough left in the tank to recruit big-named players if he is the only name left on the team. Pau Gasol and Nash will likely not be there next year and everyone else on the roster is signed to expiring or non-guaranteed deals. Sending Anthony to the Clippers would give the forward a better roster to work with right away. The team does not have the space to sign Anthony without giving something up in return.
Anthony recently made comments briefly hinting at his free agency thought process. The forward noted that he was was inspired by the moves the LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh made to team up with the Miami Heat. Things certainly paid of for them. Anthony is ready to win a championship and the Lakers might not be able to offer him that chance with their roster and financial situation.
The Knicks also do not offer that chance for at least another year. The team is salary-cap strapped through the 2014 season, but is planning on making a run during the 2015 free agency. There have been rumors that Rajon Rondo, Kevin Love and Blake Griffin will all be targets.
