The L.A. Lakers need to change a lot of things to move away from a 17-65 record, and forget the worst season in the history of the franchise. Numerous names have already popped up in rumors as to what the Lakers could do with the number one pick in the draft or during NBA free agency this summer. Now, two very strong possibilities have come about and it appears as if Paul George and DeMar DeRozan are going to be the top targets in the coming months.
Kevin Durant is going to be the top prize that any team is going to go after and try to sign, but that’s if they have the cap space. Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers is another possible option for the Lakers, and they certainly have the money to spend.
Yes, they will have a lot of money to spend as their salary cap space is huge.
Lakers Nationis reporting that it’s not justthe Lakers who want DeMar DeRozan, but he “wants to be” in Los Angeles next season. He is expected to opt out of his contract with the Toronto Raptors and become one of the most coveted players in the free agent market this summer. The cap space that the Lakers have is enough to sign him to a long-term deal and give him a big-time role on the team.
Last season, DeRozan averaged 23.5 points, four assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game for the Raptors. That’s a career high in points and ties a career high for average assists per game in a season, and he’s only getting better.
A number of other teams will be looking at DeRozan, but if the Lakers show the same amount of interest in him that he has in them, then things could be made much easier. It’s possible that he’ll be the starting shooting guard for Los Angeles in 2016.
Now, there are other options out there for the Lakers, and Larry Brown Sports states that the team is going to make a “big run” at Paul George.
Last year, George was coming off of a brutal and horrific injury that he suffered the year before, but he still put up fantastic numbers. He had 4.1 assists and seven rebounds per game with a career high average of 23.1 points.
Paul George certainly bounced back from his injury in huge fashion, and the Lakers want a player like that. They want someone who has talent, durability, and a passion for the game of basketball. That is something that was missing from many on Los Angeles’ current roster in 2015-2016.
The Lakers may not end up waiting until July 1 for Paul George to become a free agent as they know that there will be a lot of competition for him. Going after him now and offering up the Indiana Pacers a possible trade that includes a high pick in the draft could end up being rather enticing.
Also hearing that the Lakers want to make a BIG run at Paul George with their top-3 pick plus other stuff. (Not that they’d get him…)
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 4, 2016
Once they learn their position, which will be determined by the NBA Draft Lottery in two weeks, they will know how much power and leverage they have.
Landing either Paul George or DeMar DeRozan would instantly improve the L.A. Lakers , but more would still need to be done. Adding both players would immediately turn around a franchise that has never seen hard times like this. There is a lot of youth on the team, but they need guidance and they need leadership on the court. Players like George and DeRozan could deliver that a lot more than a high pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
[Photo by Vaughn Ridley]