The Los Angeles Lakers are trying to plot their next move. So far, none of their free agency plans have followed through, leaving the team to figure out just how to build up the roster for the next two years. Their attempts to bring in both LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony failed. With Kobe Bryant on the roster for the next two seasons, the Lakers realize how important it is to not waste time, but they are limited in the moves that can be made.
The Lakers are losing in free agency right now. Anthony signed back with the New York Knicks. James went home to Cleveland. Both players were on the Lakers' radar due to their friendship with Bryant as the Lakers were hoping they might take pay cuts to team up with one another in Los Angeles. That did not happen. To make matters worse, Pau Gasol has left for the Chicago Bulls. Kent Bazemore signed to the Atlanta Hawks. Nick Young is shopping himself in free agency. The Lakers got Jeremy Lin and that is it.
So how does the team make moves to replace roster holes with limited assets to give up and limited cash to sign players? The first thing is getting Young to return along with forward Jordan Hill. According to ESPNLosAngeles.com, both players are re-signing with the Lakers. Young's deal is worth $21.5 million over four years. Hill is getting a two-year, $18 million deal. That helps. The trade for Lin is also an upgrade for the Lakers no matter what fans thinks. Steve Nash, Steve Blake and Jordan Farmar all missed a significant amount time last season and Lin has so far relatively stayed healthy.
According to LakersNation.com, the Lakers could try and get involved in a trade for Roy Hibbert if the Indiana Pacers commit to dealing him. Los Angeles must replace Gasol with an equally productive big man. Right now that is their biggest weakness. ESPN's Marc Stein notes that the Pacers are still deciding whether or not to shop the center, waiting to see what happens with players like Lance Stephenson. Hibbert has not outright requested a deal, but is considering a fresh start.
If the Hibbert deal fails, the Lakers could consider a sign-and-trade for Carlos Boozer. His contract is not ideal one bit for the Lakers' cap space, but the team might not have another option. There is also the option of re-signing Andrew Bynum. It is no secret that Bynum played his best basketball with the Lakers, but disappeared over the past two seasons thanks to knee injuries. Bynum would sign for cheap which helps Los Angeles, but there is a big question mark surrounding whether or not he can still be a productive player for the team.
