The LA Lakers are planning to be active in free agency and names like Isaiah Thomas, Chandler Parsons, Kyle Lowry, Pau Gasol, Trevor Ariza and Gordon Hayward are potential targets for the team along with a Steve Nash trade to help support Kobe Bryant as he tries to come back healthy this year and this comes as Los Angeles free agents Nick Young and Jodie Meeks are also in the mix.
The Lakers had a very rough season with Bryant on the sidelines and they ended up with one of the worst records in the NBA, but that netted them a top draft pick in Julius Randle. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Lakers are ranked in the top five in cap space this offseason and have already started looking at players, calling in on Pau Gasol, Trevor Ariza, Gordon Hayward, Isaiah Thomas, Chandler Parsons, Kyle Lowry and Carmelo Anthony. The Lakers may look at signing two or three players and while they would love to snag LeBron James, that doesn't look like it's possible, as he is leaning towards staying with Miami and the rest of the Big 3.
Parsons is a restricted free agent and the Rockets are going to try and keep him, while the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, NY Knicks and Bulls also could be targeting him. Parsons had a very good season and is an RFA, meaning that the Rockets can match any offer for him, but if it's too high they may not do so. Thomas has said that he was a Lakers fan growing up and would love to play for the team and he comes in after having a breakout season with 20 points and six assists and he was also strong shooting the ball.
Pro Basketball Talk reports that Thomas is getting targeted by the Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns, who are being aggressive with the cap space they have. The Suns reportedly are looking at a Kevin Love trade, while they also want to offer James and Anthony the chance to play together, as they have enough room to sign both. The Lakers want to sign multiple players this offseason and they are hoping Bryant can return to form when he comes back and with Randle in the fold, it potentially could be a fast turnaround for a team that fell to near the bottom of the west last season.
The Lakers won just 27 games last season and lost 55 and they were a mess with Mike D'Antoni as head coach and now they are looking for a new leader as they try to sign free agents. Not having a coach can hurt and help the team in free agency and players like Anthony or James may not want to sign without one, but others may be willing to do so. Thomas is an interesting option at point guard, while Kyle Lowry has also been getting plenty of attention and should continue to do so. The team ranked 11th in points per game last season and they were 29th in points allowed and they need to improve their defense considerably next season.
