Power Ranking: Lakers Top 5 Targets for 2014
By Jacob Rude
Apr 17, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors small forward Rudy Gay (22) takes a foul shot against the Boston Celtics during the third quarter at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Celtics 114-90. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
5. Rudy Gay
The Lakers biggest target next summer will be to get younger and more athletic on the wing. While Rudy Gay does have a player option for 2014-15 that will likely garner him more money than he’ll make on the free agent market. However, he’s been shopped around a bit this off-season in Toronto and that isn’t something that any player enjoys. If he were to opt out of his final year of his contract in hopes of playing for a team that wants his services, the Lakers could be one of the teams calling.
Rudy Gay would bring something to the Lakers that they haven’t had in many years: an athletic, scoring small forward. Since James Worthy retired in the early 90s, the Lakers have had a revolving door of small forward options ranging from Cedric Ceballos, Rick Fox, and Glen Rice to Devean George, Trevor Ariza, and Metta World Peace. Rudy Gay is a big upgrade over all of the players, and someone who the Lakers could grab if they miss out on LeBron James to fill their small forward role.