Free agency this year didn’t transpire exactly how the Lakers originally envisioned. With big name players like Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh headlining this year’s group, the Lakers were unable to bring in one of the many available superstars.
In order to get back to the winning ways the Lakers have become accustomed to, it is essential to grab one of the NBA’s top playmakers to pair along with Kobe Bryant and then later build around once Bryant decides to finally walk away from the game.
Even though the Lakers were unable to do just that when this year’s free agency period started, 2015 has a high talent level that will give the Lakers another opportunity to bring in an elite player.
Two players that are rumored to be high priorities for the Lakers are Portland Trail Blazers’ power forward, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Boston Celtics’ point guard, Rajon Rondo.
Last season, Aldridge was a strong candidate to win the NBA MVP award as he averaged 23.2 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. In the playoffs, Aldridge averaged 26.2 points and 10.6 rebounds as he helped lead the Trail Blazers past the favored Houston Rockets. Aldridge recorded a total of 40 double doubles this past year, which was fourth in the NBA behind Kevin Love, Zach Randolph and Blake Griffin. His size and overall skill set make him a matchup nightmare for opposing teams and would be a welcomed commodity.
Even though Rondo has been spending the last year battling back from ACL surgery, he is still considered one of the top playmaking point guards in the NBA. Throughout his career Rondo has recorded 29 triple doubles, which is seventh most in the NBA dating back to 1985. If anyone was wondering, Bryant has 19 total triple doubles in his 18-year-career, 13th overall since 1985. However, Rondo has been the talks of trade rumors for the past few years—Houston being one of the more likely teams to land him if the Celtics do decide to unload him.
Playing within the highly competitive Western Conference will not make rebuilding for the Lakers easy, but signing one or both of these two players would instantly shift favor back towards the sixteen-time-world-champions. Although the Lakers were unable to attract one of the big names they coveted this year, next year will hopefully be different.