Several players are expressing their desire to return to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015 while the team is aiming to rebuild in free agency rather than the talent on the current roster. The Lakers will land a nice draft pick to pair with the almost $30 million in salary cap space to fill up. With that, the team's free agency wish list as some big names on it. Will that cause a number of players to be denied returns next year?
Carlos Boozer was a second-choice free agent Los Angeles was forced to sign last year after they missed out on Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and a trade for Kevin Love. Boozer had a forgettable season like most of the roster and according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, Boozer is not coming back next year. The forward signed a one-year deal to go to the Lakers and now as that contract expires, Los Angeles is not aiming to extend it. Instead they will target players like Greg Monroe, LaMarcus Aldridge or a trade for DeMarcus Cousins over the veteran big man.
Jeremy Lin will have the same fate as Boozer. According to ESPNLosAngeles.com, the point guard will not get a new contract despite his request to return in 2015. Lin was thrust into the starting role after Steve Nash went out with an injury. He failed to succeed and was benched in favor of Jordan Clarkson. The Lakers like what they see out of Clarkson. NBA sources report the Lakers are targeting top names like Rajon Rondo and Goran Dragic to pair with Clarkson meaning Lin is good as gone.
The last remaining question mark for the Lakers is Nick Young who has seen trade rumors circle his name since the offseason started. The worst thing for a rebuilding team is to have a giant contract on the pay roll and Young has one of the worst after signing a four-year, $21.5 million contract last year. Young's production sputtered this year as he averaging just 13.4 points per game on 36.6 percent shooting. Injuries also hurt him. According to Dan Feldman of ProBasketballTalk, a trade is a very real possibility for Young as his contract is not a total threat to other teams.
There are a lot of players guaranteed to come back. According to the Los Angeles Times, Jordan Hill will be back and expected to play a big role. The same can be said for Clarkson along with Kobe Bryant. With free agents being chased, anyone outside of those names is on the chopping block.
