Likewise, the Lakers are looking into ways to better the roster through free agency. Recent reports indicate that the team's brightest current star is willing to help lure in one of the biggest fish.
Kobe Bryant Will Recruit Carmelo Anthony
Despite previously saying he would not recruit his former Team USA teammate, Bryant has apparently shifted gears.
Per ESPN.com's Chris Broussard, Bryant will indeed reach out to Anthony to gauge and hopefully influence a decision that might bring him to L.A. Broussard writes:
Though the Los Angeles Lakers are not on Anthony's current list, Bryant plans to recruit him to the team. Bryant, who is close with Anthony, spoke to him by telephone when they were in separate parts of Europe earlier this week.
Bryant told ESPN.com in a text message that he plans to meet with Anthony, as well.
Broussard reports that Anthony plans to visit the Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks, but if a guy like Bryant calls, you'd have to at least think Anthony would listen. Anthony talks about the process of making a free-agent decision in the interview from Vice Sports below:
Because the Lakers already have some cap room available, they could likely offer Melo a decent deal without making moves. That said, dumping some dead weight could potentially allow the Lakers to sweeten the deal for Melo and another acquisition.
Dangling Steve Nash and the No. 7 Pick
Marcus Smart would be an excellent addition to the Lakers roster, but there's talk that the team may be willing to part with the pick it could use to nab Smart.
ESPN.com's Chad Ford (Insider subscript...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
