The LA Lakers may target players like DeAndre Jordan, Tobias Harris, Reggie Jackson and Lou Williams in free agency after missing out on Greg Monroe and LaMarcus Aldridge and this comes as a Roy Hibbert trade is possible along with David Lee, as those players likely will be traded this summer and could be fits for Los Angeles over other deals.
According to Ramona Shelburne at ESPN, the Lakers have not called the Kings recently about DeMarcus Cousins, as the asking price is D'Angelo Russell and the team wants to keep him. Shelburne writes that the Kings have not called back about a deal recently as well and that the Lakers could explore a deal for David Lee over Cousins. The Warriors have been shopping Lee this offseason and the Lakers, Knicks and Celtics have emerged as potential landing spots.
Jordan has met with the Lakers along with the Dallas Mavericks and NY Knicks and he could make a decision soon, according to Chris Broussard at ESPN. The Lakers have missed out on Greg Monroe and now Jordan could be the main target. Tobias Harris has been mentioned as an option with DeMarre Carroll off the market and the Lakers could be a fit for him. Harris is not expected to go back to Orlando and the team may not match offers for him. UPDATE: Aldridge is getting a second meeting with the Lakers.
UPDATE: ESPNDallas: LaMarcus Aldridge is pausing to consider pitches from multiple teams.
Roy Hibbert has been getting some attention and the Los Angeles Times reports that the Lakers could be an option if the Pacers trade Hibbert. According to ESPN.com, the Lakers likely are not looking for the DeMarcus Cousins trade anymore and Hibbert has come up as a target for Los Angeles and the Mavericks. Dallas reportedly is interested in Hibbert if Jordan doesn't sign, while the Phoenix Suns are also looking into Hibbert if they don't sign LaMarcus Aldridge.
Earlier in the season, the team reportedly was setting up to chase Marc Gasol, Greg Monroe and Reggie Jackson in free agency, but now only Jackson is available. The team still has a chance for Jordan, but it's looking unlikely, while LaMarcus Aldridge is reportedly not considering Los Angeles. The Lakers ended up in the draft lottery for the second straight season and the plan for the franchise is to try and sign one of the major players in free agency.
According to ESPN.com reporter Marc Stein, the team originally hoped to sign Kevin Love when he opted out of his deal, but since he was signed back to the Cavaliers that is off the table, leaving players like Rajon Rondo and Tobias Harris as potential targets. Rondo may sign with the Lakers, but right now a deal is not looking close, as he is being targeted by the Kings.
The Lakers made a play for Rondo before he was traded to the Mavericks, offering the Celtics draft picks and Steve Nash ahead of the Dallas move. According to USA Today, the Lakers offered Nash and his expiring contract to the Celtics along with Jordan Hill and a first round draft pick, but they wanted Jeff Green along with Rondo in the trade. The Celtics didn't want to send out Green in the same deal, as they are likely to trade him as well and could net more in a package on his own. Now the team could get Rondo as a free agent.
