The LA Lakers are coming into the season after a terrible year and the team may look at trade deals with Steve Nash or Jeremy Lin if the right interest is there and that could help clear cap space for the team to chase free agents next year like Rajon Rondo, Greg Monroe, LaMarcus Aldridge or Marc Gasol for Kobe Bryant support.
The Lakers come into the season knowing that they will not be top contenders, but if Byron Scott can play things the right way, this team could compete for a low playoff spot. Kobe Bryant was injured for most of last season and while he is much older now, he can still make an impact for the Lakers. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the franchise is looking at this season as a transition year and that next summer they will sign some major free agents.
--UPDATE: Steve Nash will likely be out for the season with back injuries and that could mean the end of his career in a Lakers uniform.
The Lakers have money to spend and names like Rajon Rondo, Greg Monroe, LaMarcus Aldridge or Marc Gasol could be the prime targets to give Bryant some support at the end of his career. Bryant is still a star, but he will be gone soon and after Dwight Howard didn't work out, the Lakers want another player to build around. Julius Randle may be that player, but he is a rookie and will need time to develop. The Lakers brought back a number of free agents from last season, including Nick Young, Ryan Kelly and Wesley Johnson.
The free agent moves help the team with depth and they also added Carlos Boozer after his amnesty from the Bulls. The Lakers know that Boozer won't be able to totally replace the production of Gasol, but he comes in after being solid last season despite his high salary and now he has the chance to start over a bit in LA. The same goes for Jeremy Lin and he may end up as the starting point guard with Steve Nash still dealing with injury issues. Lin was acquired in a trade with the Rockets and both Lin and Nash could end up on the trading block this season, as they are both on expiring deals.
The Lakers know that next summer is a big one for them and after Kevin Love was traded, they have to shift their targets, since he was the player they coveted the most. The team likely now will go after Rondo or Monroe, while Ricky Rubio and Marc Gasol are also likely targets. The Lakers will need star power back after Kobe is done and they have been on the mat now for a couple years compared to their fellow Staples Center tenants the Clippers, which obviously is a huge historical reversal.
The Lakers won over the Jazz in their last preseason game and they saw Bryant score 26 points, while Carlos Boozer added nine rebounds. Bryant has looked good in workouts and in the preseason so far and any chance the Lakers have of winning this season will rest on how well Kobe can come back from his injuries.
