Last year, the Lakers won a measly 27 games, their worst total since moving from Minneapolis in 1960. That's even including the 1998-99 and 2011-12 lockout-shortened seasons. After missing the playoffs for the first time in nine years, they will start fresh with most of their roster exiting the books.
Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Robert Sacre are currently the only players under contract, with the team also holding an option to retain Kendall Marshall. That gives Mitch Kupchak plenty of empty roster spots and cap space to bring in talent alongside Bryant and the newly drafted Julius Randle.
They also have a head coaching vacancy that they're taking their sweet time to fill. There's a tactical reason for their slow pursuit that will leave them without a leader for the time being.
Here's a look at some of the hottest talk from Tinseltown.
New York Pursuing Anthony-Gasol Pairing
The Lakers look ready to toss their hat in the race for most major free agents, but there doesn't seem to be much urgency to keep Pau Gasol.
Instead, a familiar face is looking to steal him in his quest to revive another depleted, big-market franchise. According to a report from ESPN's Marc Stein, Phil Jackson is trying to reunite with the 33-year-old center in the Big Apple to keep star free agent Carmelo Anthony on the New York Knicks.
Sources told ESPN.com that Knicks officials, while not willing to trumpet it publicly with free agency fast approaching, are quietly confident about their odds of retaining Anthony thanks in part to the idea that new team president Phil Jackson and the high-scoring forward have "connected" to some degree.
Furthermore, one source close to the process told ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne that Jackson is planning to make a determined attempt to try to recruit h...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
