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Lakers Rumors: Team filled with uncertainty

By Mehdi Bouneb

Apr 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) heads off the court after being replaced by Los Angeles Lakers forward Ryan Kelly (not pictured) in the final seconds of the Lakers win over the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant scored 60 points in the final game of his NBA career. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) heads off the court after being replaced by Los Angeles Lakers forward Ryan Kelly (not pictured) in the final seconds of the Lakers win over the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant scored 60 points in the final game of his NBA career. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) holds the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors won 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) holds the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors won 105-99. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

2016 NBA Free Agency

The Lakers have struck out in free-agency over the last three years.

Let’s quickly remember who snubbed the purple and gold – Dwight Howard, even with billboards that read “Stay D12”.

Carmelo Anthony, who was pleased with the video shown to him but felt that the New York Knicks were a better fit (look how that turned out).

Most recently, LaMarcus Aldridge who met with the Lakers twice — twice!

Even with failure there is an upside.

The positive in all this, my friends, is $68 Million in cap-space. Now I like the sound of that.

The Lakers are expected to make a run at DeMar DeRozan. Although it seemed plausible a few weeks go, the latest report from Josh Lewenberg of TSN states otherwise:


Lewenberg has a point. Derozan is in a better situation in Toronto with the Raptors being closer to the NBA Finals than the Lakers.

After having given the Cleveland Cavaliers a run for their money at the Air Canada Center in Toronto during the Eastern Conference Finals, the playoff experience of the Cavaliers came into account and LeBron James and company blew the Raptors out in games five and six.

Going to Los Angeles would be a step back for DeRozan. With the Raptors being in a better situation, it is unlikely that the Compton native and USC graduate will be wearing a Lakers uniform on opening night.

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And do you really want to give Derozan a max contract? I don’t think so.

The two biggest players in the 2016 free-agent class are Kevin Durant, and LeBron James if he opts out.

However, it is unlikely that these two players will be leaving their current teams. Durant is poised to play Game 7 in the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors while James comfortably awaits his next opponent en route to a third NBA Title.

So who does that leave the Lakers with?

Well, for starters, the Lakers have an abysmal hole at center.

Let’s face it, Robert Sacre, Tarik Black, and Roy Hibbert are not going to help the Lakers at the position.

Free-agent centers include Dwight Howard (who will certainly decline his player-option), Al Horford, Joakim Noah, and Al Jefferson just to name a few.

Each of the above players will be an upgrade at center, but here’s an idea for you. If he declines his player-option, how about Pau Gasol?

Think about that for a second.

One thing is for certain, though. The Lakers are in a much better position today than they were a year ago.

Next: Trading The Draft Pick

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