Lakers Roundtable: NBA Trade Deadline Reactions

3 of 3

Which free agents would you like to see them pursue in the off-season?

Garcia – Marc Gasol, Tyson Chandler, DeAndre Jordan, Hassan Whiteside (at the right price). Marc would be tough to acquire. DeAndre Jordan would have the “traitor” vibe from the Clippers. Tyson Chandler would be an excellent mentor assuming a center or power forward is drafted in the lottery. It’s all worth a shot.

If Dragic is available, even better. Then the nucleus can start to form much easier.

Otherwise, I’d like the Lakers to give some NBDL players a look. Brandon Paul has looked explosive on both ends of the floor with athletic finishes at the basket, along with solid three-point shooting.

Rude – I’ll mark off the unrealistic names (Gasol, Rajon Rondo, LaMarcus Aldridge) and the unlikely ones (Dragic, Reggie Jackson, Brandon Knight), which leaves us with a depleted pool of players available. The most intriguing is like Tobias Harris, who is a restricted free agent, meaning the Lakers will likely have to overpay him to come to LA. However, with the salary cap expected to rise significantly, it’s a worthwhile risk to build a contender.

Gilbert – The worst aspect of the trade deadline is the fact that Dragic, Knight and Jackson, three free agent point guards (a position of need) that all could have legitimately been Lakers targets this off-season, are much more likely to resign with their new teams rather than their old teams.

MARC GASOL ISN’T COMING TO THE LAKERS. Anyone who thinks there is a legitimate shot at getting him is delusional. Short of Memphis doing something stupid and low balling him, he will stay with the Grizzlies where there is way more money and present talent to build around.

Maybe the Lakers can get a point guard in the draft like Mudiay or Russell assuming they keep their pick, or get Tyus Jones with Houston’s pick. But getting back on track, I would like the see the Lakers make a run at Harris, Khris Middleton, and Kosta Koufos. Not flashy names (which is why they probably won’t be Lakers targets), but all solid young players with the potential to get better.

Tran – First of all, let’s just get this out there in the open: MARC GASOL ISN’T COMING TO THE LAKERS. Anyone who thinks there is a legitimate shot at getting him is delusional. Short of Memphis doing something stupid and low balling him, he will stay with the Grizzlies where there is way more money and present talent to build around. That being said, Monroe, the young, underutilized pivot who can pass and score would be a great target. I also see the Lakers going after Rondo, who Kobe’s been trying to court and Kevin Love, whose “love” of Cleveland has not stopped a majority of GMs in believing he will be a Laker this summer.

Patterson – Kawhi Leonard (Restricted), Aldridge, and Love.

It would surprise me if Leonard is not playing in a Spurs jersey next year, but I think the Lakers should lay it on the line for Leonard. The Spurs are all about balance, and I believe the Lakers would be more willing to give Leonard the money he deserves. If the Lakers could offer him a full, four-year max contract, I think they would have the Spurs a bit on their heals.

Aldridge may be turning 30 this summer, but their is no doubt that is style of play can keep him elite for another 3-4 years. He is a max contract worthy player, and definitely one of the best NBA sidekicks. If the Lakers are looking to go for Durant in 2016, Aldridge would be a perfect second option.

I’d say that the Lakers best shot is at Love. Although it is getting better, Love still knows that he is not nearly the top priority in Cleveland, and his touches are down big time. The only way that the Cavs can assure Love will stay is by winning the finals this year, which is pretty likely. If the Cavs receive an earlier exit from the playoffs than expected, Love would definitely be open to other options. Not only would Love be the top option in LA, but he would also be in his hometown.

Kulik – It is pointless to talk about top free agents this summer because the Lakers won’t sign any of them given the current state of the team. Why would a Gasol or a Aldridge leave very good teams, who can pay them more, to join the dysfunctional and talent-barren Lakers? Top stars can live in LA in the off-season if they want (many do), but in this age of social media players don’t have to be Lakers or Knicks to become highly recognizable, household names which is what creates lucrative business opportunities.

Next: Three Goals Lakers Must Accomplish Before End Of Season

More from Lake Show Life

Home/Lakers News