Lakers Rumors: Hassan Whiteside, Jordan Clarkson and 2016 NBA Draft Buzz

The Los Angeles Lakers have a lot to do to rebuild themselves into a contender, making them—as always—one of the more intriguing teams to watch this offseason.

With that in mind, let's take a deep dive into some of the rumors swirling around the team as the 2016 NBA draft on June 23 and free agency in July loom.
 

Hassan Whiteside, C, Miami Heat

Hassan Whiteside is going to be one of the top free agents available this summer, assuming the Miami Heat don't retain him, and the Los Angeles Lakers would make sense as a suitor for his services.

Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders broke down Whiteside's pending free agency and L.A.'s potential interest:

The narrative around Whiteside has been that he’d like to stay in Miami. He’s comfortable there, has had success there and they can pay him the most money of any team in the league. Assuming that’s the offer from the Heat, there is a better than average chance he signs a new deal. If the Heat try to play games, sources close to the situation say Whiteside will go shopping.

There is a sense that Whiteside is one of the top names on the Lakers’ wish list of free agents, with the Boston Celtics also interested. The problem with trying to peg either as having some edge over the other neglects that Whiteside could be the most obtainable free agent in the class and likely gets a lot of interest beyond those two suitors.

League sources said this weekend that Whiteside is getting a full max deal—the question is will it be from the Heat or someone else?

Indeed, Whiteside is likely to have more than just two or three suitors. His defensive presence alone will make him valuable to teams looking to bolster down on the block.

Whiteside, 27 as of Monday, averaged 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game this season, anchoring the post for the Heat. He has shown marked...

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