The LA Lakers are coming into the offseason looking to spend in free agency and names like Goran Dragic, Rajon Rondo and Greg Monroe are potential targets along with a Brandon Jennings trade, Reggie Jackson and Kevin Love and this comes as the team may consider bringing back Jeremy Lin as a free agent now that his expensive contract is done with.
The Lakers are projected to have over $25 million in salary cap space this offseason and they could clear more if they make trades. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the team will consider a Nick Young trade this offseason and the Lakers could look at moving other players on the roster as well. Marc Stein at ESPN.com writes that the Lakers are likely to target Marc Gasol and Kevin Love if he hits the market, but they are more likely to sign a player like Greg Monroe or LaMarcus Aldridge.
Stein added that he thinks Love will remain in Cleveland following his shoulder injury, while Gasol has a good chance to stay in Memphis. The Lakers have a need at point guard even with the emergence of Jordan Clarkson at the position. Clarkson should remain after the way he played last year, but the team likely will chase Rajon Rondo and Goran Dragic. Stein said on SportsCenter last week that he expects Dragic to remain in Miami on a max contract.
The Lakers reportedly were interested in Dragic at the trading deadline along with Rondo, but they did not want to give up major draft compensation. Rondo instead went to the Mavericks and that did not work out well for Dallas and now he is very likely signing elsewhere. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Lakers are still interested in Rondo, but only at a certain price and that price is not near a max contract. Rondo will have some challenges this summer, as he is coming off of a terrible run with the Mavs.
Brandon Jennings could be on the trade market this summer, as the Pistons likely will try and bring back Reggie Jackson after trading for him. Adding back Jackson makes Jennings expendable and the Lakers could be interested after they reportedly inquired about Jennings and Greg Monroe at the trade deadline. The Lakers have money to spend and some draft picks and they could look at Jennings as an option over signing Rondo or Dragic. Lin also reportedly would be open to returning to the team, telling NBA.com that he wouldn't rule out coming back to LA.
Steve Nash said after the season that he thinks that Clarkson could be a "terrific player" and he likely will get another chance to be a main contributor next season. If the Lakers whiff on Dragic and Rondo or miss out on a Jennings deal, Clarkson could be the player things fall to with the offense.
If Lin returns with Clarkson over the Lakers signing Rondo/Dragic, they likely will be the main point guards for Byron Scott. Clarkson averaged 15.8 points and 5.0 assists in games that he started and he played in 59 games overall this season, averaging 11 points.
