The LA Lakers are working on convincing Carmelo Anthony to sign in free agency and if the team misses out, a trade for Klay Thompson with the Warriors or Michael Carter-Williams with the 76ers could be in the cards over signing free agents Chandler Parsons, Luol Deng or Nick Young this summer and a trade with Steve Nash likely would be needed if that went down to bring Kobe Bryant some young support.
According to ESPN.com, the Lakers tried to acquire Thompson as the Warriors were working on a Kevin Love trade and LA tried to sneak in to make the deal a three team trade, with Los Angeles acquiring Thompson. The Warriors and the Wolves were held up on Thompson in the deal and the Lakers tried to spice it up with Steve Nash and their number seven pick, but now that pick is Julius Randle and the team likely would have to work out another deal for any chance at getting Thompson. Right now that deal is dead, but once Carmelo Anthony signs, the team could target the deal again. Deng is another option, but he also has suitors in the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets.
Michael Carter-Williams is a name that has come up in the past for the Lakers, but the Sixers are likely not going down this road following the draft. Some thought Michael Carter-Williams could get traded after the team selected Elfrid Payton with their number 10 pick, but the 76ers quickly traded that to the Magic and those rumors dissipated. Sam Hinkie has shown that he is willing to make deals, so there is a chance that the rookie of the year from last season could get traded, but now it's more likely that the Sixers will hang onto Michael Carter-Williams.
The Sixers now have Michael Carter-Williams, Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel to build around and with some other moves, they could be a potential playoff team in two or three years with solid development. The Lakers are hoping for a quick turnaround as well, which is why the Michael Carter-Williams trade rumors came up in the first place. The team is making a pitch to Carmelo Anthony and they are also interested in Chandler Parsons and Luol Deng in free agency, as they have enough cap space to sign some players to help support Kobe Bryant as he returns from his injury.
The Thompson deal is a dream for the Lakers, as he is young and a fantastic shooter and he automatically would be a huge step up over Nash. The Lakers now at least have Randle to build up and develop and while they are in the mix for Anthony, right now they are not considered to be the favorites for his services. Anthony is likely picking between the Bulls and the Knicks right now and the Bulls have a very good team waiting for him, especially if they keep Taj Gibson and that looks likely after he sat in on the pitch meeting to Anthony. The Lakers are also looking at the possibility of bringing back Pau Gasol and Nick Young as free agents.
