The LA Lakers are coming into the offseason with major moves on their mind and free agent names like Carmelo Anthony, Isaiah Thomas, Chandler Parsons, Gordon Hayward and Luol Deng all could be targets for the team to add with Kobe Bryant and this comes after the Lakers tried to acquire Klay Thompson in the Kevin Love trade talks for Steve Nash.
The Lakers had a terrible season in 2013-14, but the team is looking to retool quickly this year and they come in with some of the most salary cap space in the league. According to ESPN.com, the team is looking at Thomas as an option along with Deng, while Pau Gasol and Spencer Hawes are other free agent options. Deng is looking at a number of teams and the Lakers are interested along with the Miami Heat, but for him to sign there he will need to take a pay cut. The team also has tried to acquire Klay Thompson this offseason in the Kevin Love-Warriors deal.
Kobe Bryant is coming back after a tough injury and he needs help after the way the team played last season and names like Thomas and Parsons could add some offensive firepower to the mix. According to ESPN.com, Stephenson likely is leaving Indiana, as they offered him a five year deal worth over $40 million, but he wants more than that. Stephenson is one of the toughest players to read on the market, as he made his bones in Indy, but he thinks he is such a good talent, a deal like that probably won't cut it. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Stephenson also has interest from the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets this offseason.
The Hornets signed Al Jefferson last year and made the playoffs and Michael Jordan is looking to make a splash, while the Bulls could go after Stephenson if they miss out on Carmelo Anthony. The Bulls are aiming to sign Anthony or another big name and he is visiting with the Lakers, Mavericks, Bulls and Rockets along with the Knicks. Anthony can get a max deal from the Knicks of five years and $130 million and that could make it tough for other teams to sign him.
Stephenson comes into the offseason as one of the more talented players on the market, but he is also a head case and that could get teams to pause to sign him. The Pacers can only offer him so much because of their cap and that makes it tough for them to keep him. Thomas is an interesting option for the Lakers, as he could take over at point guard and it comes after he had a great season for a bad team
Thomas comes in as one of the top players on the market based on last season's performance, putting up 20.3 points and 6.3 assists last season for the Kings and now he could end up a Laker. This year he likely will be looking for a deal around $24 million and the Pistons are one team that is interested. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Miami Heat, Lakers, Mavericks and Suns are also interested in Thomas. The team needs an upgrade badly and Thomas could be it.
