L.A. will already have the benefit of a healthy Kobe Bryant returning to action, but that won't be enough. He needs at least a couple big pieces around him in addition to rookie forward Julius Randle. If the Lakers play their cards right, then they can potentially make that happen.
The Lakers have little interest in rebuilding since they may not have Kobe for much longer and there is plenty of pressure from the fanbase to put forth a winning product. Los Angeles has plenty of lines cast currently, but it remains to be seen if anyone will bite.
Here is the latest buzz surrounding some of the biggest names out there on both the trade and free-agency fronts this offseason as they relate to the Lakers.
Pau Gasol
Spanish star Pau Gasol has been a staple in the paint for the Lakers since they acquired him in 2008. He helped lead L.A. to two NBA championships and made the Western Conference All-Star team on three occasions while with the Lakers as well. On the heels of a strong 2013-14 campaign statistically, the Lakers have a decision to make.
Gasol can sign anywhere he desires as a free agent, but the Lakers do have some leverage. They can offer him more money than any other team, which is why Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com sees the Lakers potentially trying to keep Gasol if some of their more ambitious plans don't work out:
If Gasol's desire to win outweighs his hunger for money, though, the Lakers may be in trouble. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls are both possible destinations of interest:
The Bulls present an interesting scenario in ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
