The Los Angeles Lakers are looking for an established star. The team has a core group of young players they intend to carry them into the future, but the franchise needs a big name or two to help in that effort. With salary cap space to spare in the offseason, the Lakers' wish list includes a lot of marquee names. Not only will they chase big names in 2016, but they hope that the signings this summer impact free agency in 2017 when Russell Westbrook hits the market.
To be clear, it is far too early to be speculating on the future of Westbrook who is not a free agent until 2017. However, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith has no problem dropping statements about the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard. According to Smith via ESPN 710s Mason and Ireland show, the Lakers will acquire Kevin Durant in 2016 and use him to bring Westbrook to the franchise as well.
"Keep in mind this, one of the biggest reasons I'm told, that Kevin Durant may have the Lakers at the top of his list, is because the Lakers have been led to believe, by whom specifically I do not know, but the Lakers have been led to believe that it is a very good chance that the following year Russell Westbrook is coming. It's a big possibility," Smith said.
The first time Smith made a prediction like this, Durant adamantly denied the statement, so Lakers fans and Thunder fans should really not put too much stock in what the analyst has said. Is it possible that the Lakers rebuild with both Durant and Westbrook on the roster? Yes, considering they have the cap space. Will it happen? Those chances are slim to none. Before anyone can begin to make predictions about Westbrook, Durant's free agency will come first. The Thunder star has not said a word about where he intends to play next season, but that has not stopped the Lakers and Knicks from making him a priority. If Durant leaves the Thunder, there is a good chance Westbrook does to. There is also a very good chance both remain with the franchise for years to come regardless of what Smith says.
For now, the Lakers will try and build up their own franchise stars. Both Julius Randle and D'Angelo Russell have struggling heavily on the court which has led to trade rumors around both young players. That is not happening, but change is necessary. Head coach Byron Scott defended the way he was developing Russell who admitted he was frustrated.
"You don't let a guy go out there and just almost embarrass himself or kill himself by playing 35 minutes and creating 10, 12, 15 turnovers. I mean, the one thing it can do is self-destruct him as an individual. So what I try to do, as far as teaching him, is to also protect him from making mistakes like that, and from getting ridiculed after a game like that," Scott said, via Bill Oram of the OC Register.
The Lakers are hopeful that Russell, Randle and Jordan Clarkson can be future stars for this team. Durant, DeMarcus Cousins and DeMar DeRozan will be targets this year. If the struggles continue, that is when a pursuit of players like Westbrook could become more active. It is simply too early to speculate on the matter.
