One scan through the NBA rumor mill suggests the Lakers could soon burst out of their funk in a big way. Literally.
Various reports have linked the Purple and Gold with some of the league's premier post players. But which one is most likely to wind up in the City of Angels? That's the question we're here to answer, but the discussion has to start with which top-notch talents are in the franchise's sights.
Big Names and Bigger Numbers
The Lakers have reportedly discussed a deal with the Sacramento Kings for All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins, league sources told Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski. The Kings publicly denied interest in trading the 24-year-old to USA Today, "but that stance has increasingly softened and the franchise is proceeding further on moving him."
Kevin Love opted out of the final year of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, and the Lakers quickly emerged as a suitor, sources told ESPN.com's Marc Stein. L.A. is also reportedly climbing the ladder of preferred destinations for All-Star free-agent forward LaMarcus Aldridge, via Stein:
That's an absurd amount of talent all linked to the same team. It's probably not a coincidence, either. Any competent sports agent should link their client to the Lakers.
The organization has a rich history, a giant media market and a boatload of cap space (only $35 million committed to next season's payroll). Simply positioning the Lakers as a potential poacher gives those players leverage. And there's nothing better to have at the negotiating table.
That being said, L.A. looks like a realistic landing spot for all three players.
Love is a Southern California native and played his college ball at UCLA. Aldridge lives near L.A. during t...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
