The Los Angeles Lakers are looking towards the summer of 2015 to bounce back from this terrible run they have been on for two years and the team may look at targeting players like Marc Gasol, Reggie Jackson, Brandon Jennings, Deron Williams, Goran Dragic and Greg Monroe in trade deals or free agency, as they could help Kobe Bryant finish out his career with some winning seasons.
The Lakers came into this season knowing that things would be tough once again and heading towards the trade deadline they may try to set up even more for the summer. The team may consider making trades at the deadline with players like Jordan Hill or Steve Nash, while Jeremy Lin will be off the books after this season, freeing up more cap space. According to ESPN.com, the Lakers hope to target Goran Dragic, Marc Gasol and Rajon Rondo as the main players in free agency, while Greg Monroe and Reggie Jackson also could be options.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, ESPN.com reporter Ramona Shelburne reports that the team is interested in both Monroe and Jennings and they have spoken with the Pistons about a deal at the deadline. Shelburne writes that no deal is close to happening, but that assistant GM Glen Carraro has been calling around about moves the team can make. Monroe is set to be a free agent and he is expected to be a target for the Lakers if he makes it to the market.
Making a trade now likely doesn't make sense since the team can just sign him outright later, but they also could be worried about losing him. The team may not get a chance at Kevin Love because he was traded and they may try and get Monroe to avoid that and to do it they may need to take Jennings. Pro Basketball Talk writes that the team could try and get Monroe to "sell him" on Los Angeles, but if they have to give up a first round pick it's likely not worth it.
Jackson is expected to be a restricted free agent and he could be a backup option if Dragic signs with the Suns or another team. The Lakers made calls about Rajon Rondo before he was traded and they will still look at him as a free agent even after his move to the Mavs if he ends up hitting the market. Before last summer the team hoped to target Kevin Love in the summer of 2015, but he was traded to the Cavaliers and now likely will be staying in Cleveland.
Gasol is the player the Lakers would love to get their hands on, as he could be the perfect complement to Kobe in his twilight years. Gasol is set to be a free agent after the season and while many think he will stay with Memphis because they are title contenders, Gasol said he has not ruled anything out yet. It is expected that Gasol will hit the market rather than sign and extension and with the money the Lakers will have, they should be able to compete with other teams making offers.
