While the Lakers are generally considered a premier destination for free agents year in and year out, the noise regarding their plans this summer has been deafening.
Whether it's revolved around the team's odds of signing an established superstar, spurning a divisive ball-handler or forking over cash to sign a key role player, the Lakers will have myriad decisions to make when the moving and shaking officially gets underway.
Lakers in the Running for Aldridge
The Lakers opted for speed and ball-handling over size with the second pick in Thursday's draft when they selected D'Angelo Russell at No. 2 overall.
As a result, the Purple and Gold are firmly in the market for frontcourt reinforcements with free agency on the horizon.
Enter LaMarcus Aldridge, who is reportedly ditching the Portland Trail Blazers this summer.
"A Western Conference executive with knowledge of the Aldridge pursuit has told The Columbian that the free agent has already informed the Blazers that he will not return to the Northwest," The Columbian's Erik Gundersen wrote.
That puts the Lakers firmly in the mix for the 29-year-old power forward, according to Yahoo Sports' Marc Spears.
"The San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers are the front-runners to land the All-Star, a source told Yahoo Sports," Spears wrote. "The Dallas native is also expected to have interest from the Dallas Mavericks."
Netting Aldridge would be a major boon for a Lakers team that was mired in a painful rebuild last season. Coming off a franchise-worst 61 losses during the 2014-15 season, the Lakers' stock is suddenly surging.
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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
