LA Lakers Rumors: Team Looking At Four Particular Players For Depth — Is Nick Young Still On The Trading Block?
By this point in the NBA offseason, a number of teams have done all the moves they’re going to do, whether it’s signing free agents or making trades. The LA Lakers are not one of those teams and constantly have rumors about some more moves they’re trying to make. They’ve got one open roster spot and a few prime targets in their sight, and Nick Young may not be safe yet from being traded.
Norris Cole, guard for the New Orleans Pelicans, is one of the most sought after free agents left on the market right now. As an unrestricted free agent, the Pelicans have first crack at Cole and have offered him a qualifying offer. That means they will have the opportunity to match any contract offered to him by other teams.
The LA Lakers have been rumored to have serious interest in Cole, but they have a lot of competition for him. Aside from the Pelicans wanting to keep him, the Advocate reports that the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers have both shown great interest in the guard.
According to Sports World Report, the Lakers aren’t only looking at Norris Cole though.
Jordan Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell appear to have locks on the starting guard spots, and Kobe Bryant could very well be in his final NBA season. Some extra depth for 2015-16 and beyond wouldn’t hurt them.
Toney Douglas was on their radar, but the former New Orleans Pelicans’ guard appears to be headed for Indiana.
Recently waived by the Pelicans, guard Toney Douglas will sign a deal with the Pacers, I’ve been told. Already there working out.
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) August 6, 2015
The LA Lakers are also looking at a couple of big men, and that has been more expected of them. Brendan Haywood is still on the market after being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers and then having his non-guaranteed contract released.
Center JaVale McGee is also somehow still available, and he could be signed as a backup for Roy Hibbert. It seems to have dragged on forever, but the Lakers didn’t land Kevin Seraphin as he was signed by the Knicks two days ago.
As for Nick Young? He may have thought that his spot on the team was safe, but it appears he isn’t off the trading block yet. Some rumors still have him as an option to be traded if the Lakers ever get an offer that is good enough.
The LA Lakers have a solid core for their team, but it seems that one more piece is still missing. It could be a guard or it could be a big man, and who knows what is going to happen to Nick Young? Either way, the Lakers are not done moving and shaking.
[Image via Getty Images]
