After not re-signing Dwight Howard in the 2013 offseason, it was assumed the team would prepare to make a big run in free agency come 2014. Several big names hit the market including LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. The Lakers have a lot of money coming off the books with just two guaranteed contracts remaining for next season and could offer up at least one max contract. However, according to general manager Mitch Kupchak, that might not be the plan.
While speaking in an interview with Lakers.com, Kupchak revealed the team might be looking towards 2015 to sign several top free agents instead of targeting someone in the upcoming offseason. Kupchak confirmed that the teaming is favoring a few of the players coming onto the market in 2015 and might avoid signing players to max contracts this year in order to prep for down the road.
Originally, 2014 was seen as the big year for the Lakers with so many contracts disappearing. However, Kupchak no longer sees the long-term plan playing out like that.
"Several years ago, we made a conscious decision to line contracts up for this coming year of free agency. If you look at our payroll a year ago, with the exception of Steve Nash, we didn't have anybody under contract (for 2014-15)," Kupchak said. "That didn't have so much to do with who was going to be a free agent in 2014, but more a function of some planning of how our roster (looked). Obviously we broke ranks to sign Kobe to an extension, but we still feel like we have significant flexibility this summer and next summer. As far as who's available and who is not available around the league to sign, we still don't know."
So who could be the top target in 2015? Kevin Love is the likely option for the Lakers. According to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, sources say the general consensus is that Love would like to return to Los Angeles and play for the Lakers when he becomes a free agent. The forward can opt out of his contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves and be a solid pickup.
One Eastern Conference executive told the NBA Insider that the team should really attempt to trade Love since no one believes he is actually going to stay with the Timberwolves. The Lakers do not have much to offer on that end unless they opt to give away Pau Gasol. Instead they will wait patiently for 2015.
If the Lakers are not looking to offer a max deal this offseason, Carmelo Anthony would no longer be an option for the team. Some believed Anthony was the top target for the Lakers, using Kobe Bryant to recruit the current star of the New York Knicks. The Lakers are considering all options and no one should be shocked if they fail to make the blockbuster move this season.
