The idea that LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony would team up in the next round of free agency is simply unfair, but the notion that they would do so with Kobe Bryant just seems down-right crazy, right? Is this NBA 2K14? Not according to the Los Angeles Lakers. After a dismal 2013-14 season, the Lakers are in desperate need of roster improvements in order to get back into title contention. With Kobe Bryant likely playing two more years in the league, is it realistic to think the Lakers could actually land the two biggest free agents this offseason?
According CBS Sports' Ken Berger, the Lakers want all three players on their roster and will try and work out the salary cap space to do so. First and foremost, this situation is extreme wishful thinking. Financially speaking, a million moves would have to be made, but entertain this idea since this is the season of rumors before the official NBA offseason begins.
James and Anthony both plan on staying with big-market team. There is no bigger market than Los Angeles. Both players have several off-the-court business ventures that will thrive well in California. With other money-making moves, both players would have to be willing to accept smaller contracts from the basketball side in order to team up. Yahoo Sports is already reporting that James prefers to take a max deal and sign a contract valued at his maximum worth. It is assumed Anthony would prefer to do the same thing. If that is true, the Lakers are not an option.
Los Angeles would need to waive Steve Nash and his $9.7 million contract. The Los Angeles Times previously reported that the Lakers were leaning towards letting Nash finish out the final year of his contract despite his lack of productivity over the past two seasons. However, if it means James and Anthony would be joining, the point guard is gone. That leaves the Lakers with $30 million to spend. There is no way Anthony and James are taking less than $15 million apiece. It would also mean the Lakers would barely have any money to spend on role players to fill the roster holes.
Is it plausible that this all could happen, sure. It has been reported that both James and Anthony intend on opting out of their current deals which fuels the fire some. The Lakers are currently looking at multiple free agents including Kyle Lowry, Luol Deng and Chandler Parsons who might give them more flexibility in the long run.
