The LA Lakers are coming into the 2014 offseason after a very tough year and the team could be making some big moves, as they could target a trade for Kyrie Irving or potential deals for LaMarcus Aldridge, Deron Williams, Ricky Rubio or Kyle Lowry over the summer to give support to Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash, as the team has some money to spend if they want to.
The Lakers had a very rough season with Bryant out with another serious injury and they are trying to get back to the old style of the franchise when it was a destination for stars. Dwight Howard left and now the team is still picking up the pieces and this time they have a top 10 draft pick to go along with it. The team can use that draft pick in a trade and that is one reason why they could be in play for some of the names above. Steve Nash could get moved, but he is likely staying and someone like Irving could be had if the Lakers give up enough, but that's likely not happening.
Aldridge could get moved since he is not planning on signing an extension with the Blazers and he is about to be a free agent, while Rubio is with the Timberwolves and is trying to get Kevin Love to stay, but for all anyone knows he could be traded too if the team blows things up. Williams needed surgery again this offseason and the Nets could be looking to make a move after their playoffs disappointment. Kyle Lowry is an interesting option, as he has shown to be a budding star and is a free agent and while he will command some money, he could be worth going after.
The Raptors could try and pull off a sign and trade if they see he is going to leave and that would be big for the team to get something in return for him. The Lakers were terrible last season and they still do not yet have a head coach and some reports have the team trying to sign LeBron James before hiring a coach and letting him handle it. Carmelo Anthony also could be a free agent target and they are a team that has been mentioned in the Kevin Love trade rumors.
The Clippers have overtaken the Lakers in the city and that is something no one ever thought they would see and now that they are sold for billions that does it again. The Lakers want to be back and obviously they want Kobe back healthy and they would like to bring another superstar over to begin that transition from Kobe, who is making over $30 million. The Lakers are out west and they were just smashed last season and they have to make some moves to get back into the swing of things after losing Howard, who never felt like a fit. The same went for their last head coach and now they must be kicking themselves for not hiring Phil Jackson the first time around and now they need a new coach to turn the team around.
