The Los Angeles Lakers are the center of trade rumors that indicate the face of the franchise may be on the move, and some big names are in the team’s sights.
Reports indicate the team could be looking to make a mid-season shakeup by trading Kobe Bryant to a team that could better use his services. Bryant has said publicly that he has one more year in the tank, and his scoring output could help a team on the edge of title contention.
In return, rumors indicate that the Los Angeles Lakers could be targeting big names like Goran Dragic or Marc Gasol.
ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reported that the Lakers have already contacted the Phoenix Suns about a potential deal for Dragic. The Lakers already lost out on target Rajon Rondo after they reportedly offered only Steve Nash and a lower level draft pick, and may be more aggressive in future deals.
And the Lakers may not be done angling for Rondo just yet, Sports World Report noted.
The Lakers reportedly are interested in Rondo and Marc Gasol in free agency next summer and even through Rondo was traded to the Mavs already, they are expected to go after him. Rondo has said that he plans on hitting the market, although he said that Dallas has the advantage at signing him since he was traded there and they gave up players and picks for him. That won’t stop the Lakers from at least trying and the Knicks are also a team that could be interested in both Rondo and Gasol on the market.
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly looking to upgrade their point guard position, with Nash declining due to age and out the entire season with injury, and Jeremy Lin performing below expectations. Brandon Jennings and Deron Williams are also rumored targets.
The Los Angeles Lakers could have a chance to make an even bigger splash . Cleveland Cavaliers big man Kevin Love is expected to exercise his opt-out clause and try for a higher max contract. Sam Smith of NBA.com reported that Love is interested in returning to Los Angeles, where he played a year of college ball at UCLA.
