The LA Lakers are expected to spend big this summer on free agents and players like Jimmy Butler, Goran Dragic and Greg Monroe could be targets for max contract offers and this comes as players like Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge and Reggie Jackson also could be options to in Kobe Bryant in free agency in 2015.
The Lakers are projected to have over $25 million in salary cap space to use this summer and they could look at using a big chunk of it on top names on the market. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Lakers will consider giving Jimmy Butler a max contract offer and the team also may target Greg Monroe, Goran Dragic and LaMarcus Aldridge, who may consider leaving the Trail Blazers. Butler is an interesting target, as the Bulls are expected to match any offer for him, but the Lakers could try to price them out.
The team is looking to make at least one more strong run to the playoffs with Kobe Bryant and that makes this summer crucial in building a winner. The free agent class is deep with big name players and while the Lakers have fallen on hard times, they are still one of the premier franchises in the league. The Lakers may be battling with the Knicks and Celtics for free agents, as those teams also have major money to spend and have similar needs as Los Angeles.
According to Shams Charania of RealGM, Butler is going to be one of the most coveted free agents on the market and the Lakers are planning to make a run at him in free agency with a max contract offer. Sources reported that the Lakers will make a move on Butler, although it's no guaranteed and since he is restricted, the Bulls can match any offer sheet he gets.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Frank Isola of the Daily News reports that Greg Monroe signing to the Knicks is as "close to as done" as can be. While Monroe said at the end of the season that no decisions had been made and that he would consider signing back with the Pistons, it looks like he will one leaving for another team. The Lakers are expected to chase Monroe along with the Knicks and even with Isola reporting that Monroe will sign, there is still a ton of time for things to change.
Monroe has not dealt with any major injuries over his young career and his age is one reason why the Knicks want to sign him. Monroe had a great season last year, putting up a career best 16.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game and now he is poised to get a big contract.
The Sporting News reports that the Knicks may look at the "younger tier of" free agent players like Monroe, Brandon Knight, Reggie Jackson and Jimmy Butler over names like Goran Dragic, LaMarcus Aldridge and Rajon Rondo. If the Knicks follow through on that, the Lakers will have much less to worry about when it comes to Rajon Rondo and that could lead to the point guard signing in Los Angeles.
