The LA Lakers may target Goran Dragic, Marc Gasol, Deron Williams, Reggie Jackson or Rajon Rondo in the future and at the trade deadline the team may clear space heading into free agency for 2015, as names like Steve Nash, Jeremy Lin or Jordan Hill could be moved at the deadline to help give the team cap flexibility to help sign players for Kobe Bryant this summer.
The Lakers have spoken with a number of teams about trades this season, including with the Celtics about Rajon Rondo and the Suns about Goran Dragic. According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Lakers made an offer to the Celtics about Rondo, offering draft picks along with Jordan Hill and Steve Nash to try and get the point guard to Los Angeles. The team wants to try and sign Rondo in free agency, but now that he has been traded to the Mavericks it's likely that he remains there into the future. Rondo plans on hitting the market and the Lakers will make a push for him, but if that doesn't work, ESPN.com reporter Marc Stein writes that Deron Williams, Brandon Jennings, Reggie Jackson and Goran Dragic could be targets.
Dragic will be a free agent this summer and reportedly will have a number of suitors, while Jackson can hit the market and may be there as a restricted free agent. Stein reports that the Knicks will be going after Jackson if they can't get Dragic or Rondo and they also plan on targeting Gasol. The market for Gasol will be a tough one, as teams like the Knicks, Celtics, Rockets and Grizzlies all will be looking to sign him. Memphis is the favorite since they are playing so well this season, but Gasol said to the media that he will keep his options open.
Kobe Bryant likely has a couple years left of playing solid basketball and while the Lakers have been very bad the last two seasons, the team thinks they can bounce back quickly. The Lakers plan on targeting the big names on the market next summer with Gasol, Rondo and Dragic as well as LaMarcus Aldridge becoming available. The Lakers will have a ton of cap space and they could free up more with trades at the deadline. Lin is coming off of the books and Carlos Boozer was signed to a one year deal and also will hit the market.
Reggie Jackson could be a lower level option over Dragic and Rondo if the Lakers strike out, as he has played well in Oklahoma City and could end up elsewhere next year. The Knicks reportedly will go after him and he could be a solid option if teams want to spend, but not spend too much so they can set up for Kevin Durant in free agency 2016.
The Lakers are 11-25 this season and are headed toward another high draft pick after taking Julius Randle last year. The team was hoping he could help start the rebuilding process, but they lost him for the season to an injury. The team hopes he can return to full strength next year and if the team gets him back and one of the major free agents, they could at least compete in the middle of the western conference. The team is averaging 101 points per game this season, but they are ranked 29th in points allowed per game and have struggled overall on defense.
