L.A. to avoid Carmelo; will target Kevin Love in 2015 and Kevin Durant in 2016

[aboss4real24]

http://lakerholicz.com/lakers-rumors...016/2014/02/23

[COLOR="Magenta"]The team is currently sat at 19-36 and hasn’t seen Kobe Bryant wear their purple and gold jersey since December. Before the trade deadline, Lakers management couldn’t find a worthwhile deal for Pau Gasol, and so he’ll hang around for the remaining 27 games and will probably leave this summer for a fresh start elsewhere.

The Lakers do have a first-round draft pick, though, and the team are set to make their first lottery selection since 2005 when they drafted Andrew Bynum out of high school.

However, the Lakers’ biggest rebuilding tool is their cap space, and they’ll have their first chance in decades to spend big money this summer.

That doesn’t mean they’ll spend it all just yet, though.

According to Mike Bresnahan and Eric Pincus from the L.A. Times, the Lakers don’t plan to pursue Carmelo Anthony this offseason. They’ll put in a call to LeBron James if he opts-out of his deal in Miami and decides to leave, though that seems like a long-shot at this point.

Don’t expect the purple and gold to target Kyle Lowry either, per Bresnahan and Pincus, though Luol Deng could receive some attention from the Lakers – they’re not interested in overpaying him, though.

Instead, it seems the Lakers will preserve the majority of their cap space for the summer of 2015 when Kevin Love will become a free agent.

And then, when Kobe Bryant’s deal expires in 2016, the Lakers will look to add another big star by targeting Kevin Durant.

That’s quite a plan, and it makes a lot of sense.

Instead of tying up millions of dollars for four years with a 30-year-old Anthony, Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss would be smart to aim for younger guys like Love and Durant.

And, even if they miss out on their intended targets, other big names such as LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Rajon Rondo, Al Horford, DeMar DeRozan and Joakim Noah could be free agents in 2015 and 2016.

Whatever happens, the Lakers are positioned to be big players in the free agency market over the next few years as they prepare to build yet another championship-caliber roster.

Lakers Wish List

Lebron- X
Melo- X
Paul George- X
D12-✔......X

Lakers Lost [/COLOR]

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

The lakers championship dream died w/ Jerry Buss lettuce be real

[alec613]

A lot of teams are.

Kobe's contract really set the franchise back. I was expecting a fast rebuild phase, but with that contract, It will take another 2 years before the rebuilding phase starts progressing

[Haymaker]

The lakers championship dream died w/ Jerry Buss lettuce be real

Sadly, this is true. The franchise could be saved if Jim takes his hands off the team and sticks to just signing those paychecks. Mitch can run that team.

[Jameerthefear]

The lakers championship dream died w/ Jerry Buss lettuce be real

THIS.
The Lakers are D-O-N-E DONE, as an elite franchise. It's time for the better teams to take over. They are the worst team in California. It's sad. Rebuilding process will be LONG and HARD. Especially with KoME still on the team.

[Smook A.]

KD to LA... nooo way!
I bet you these will be his choices (no im not being a homer!)

Either thunder or rockets, cause of his buddy james harden

95% thunder
5% houston

[chazzy]

This is good. Why are people acting like this is bad?

[Yankstar]

KD to LA... nooo way!
I bet you these will be his choices (no im not being a homer!)

Either thunder or rockets, cause of his buddy james harden

95% thunder
5% houston

We will poach his ass too

[Smook A.]

We will poach his ass too

lol. James Harden stayin in Houston. He's from Los Angeles but he ain't goin to the Lakers or Clips

[Akrazotile]

The lakers championship dream died w/ Jerry Buss lettuce be real

No, it died with the new CBA

[CelticBaller]

No, it died with the new CBA

awesome

[r0drig0lac]

GOAT GIF

[VIntageNOvel]

damn, now i must cheer bronzey to win 2 more rings,
because ringless durant will leave OKC

[flipogb]

Eric Pincus aka Emplay knows absolutely nothing, people only listen to the guy cuz he is a real media guy who is willing to join fan message boards.

if he says it will happen, then assume the opposite.

[mr.big35]

Durant will win this year and he will not leave okc to go the dead zone of la