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NBA Free Agency 2016: Lakers could make some serious moves this off-season

By Keith Rivas

May 17, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) works against Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) during the first quarter in game one of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) works against Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) during the first quarter in game one of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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When it comes to NBA Free Agency 2016, the Los Angeles Lakers are setting themselves up for the landing of a superstar.

The NBA playoffs are starting to wrap up and head towards the last stages, and since the Lakers were nowhere near contention this season the focus for them is on the free agent market.

With that in mind, the team isn’t coming into the off-season without a short list of needs at key positions.

Above all, Los Angeles needs a big man that the perimeter players can feed off of. At the moment, the combination of centers that they have on the roster aren’t strong enough to carry the Lakers into the post-season.

Or anywhere worthwhile, for that matter.

Toronto’s Bismack Biyombo and Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor are rumored to be up for the taking this off-season, albeit in different ways.

Biyombo became an unrestricted free agent following Toronto’s elimination from contention at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, whereas Okafor has been talked about as a potential trade option for Philadelphia.

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Joakim Noah has also been talked about as a possible option, but nothing has been set in stone just yet.

Aside from those guys, players like DeMar DeRozan and Paul George have been rumored to be on the priority list for the Lakers front office.

Los Angeles needs guys with playoff experience, and the only exception on this list to that criteria is Jahlil Okafor, who suffered through a league-worst 10-72 season with the 76ers.

Truthfully, considering the fact that the Lakers will have the second overall pick to throw around in different packages if they wish, the concept of landing another cornerstone player isn’t too far-fetched at all.

Next: Could DeMarcus Cousins End Up In Los Angeles?

They just need the right pieces to fall into place, and then the playoffs won’t seem like a distant idea or afterthought any longer.

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