But for Kobe Bryant, he still wants to keep the guys that helped him win two championships in the past five years. Sadly for Bryant, it all seems unlikely now.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the only way they can get Deron Williams is via a trade. The Brooklyn Nets have already stated that they do not want Pau Gasol. With that, their only option is to have a third team involved, or just move on and know they can't get D-Will.
(The Lakers) have very little to spend on free agents because they are so far over the luxury-tax threshold. Their biggest tool is the $3-million “mini” mid-level exception.
“I know they don’t have any money to just go out and sign me. It’ll have to be some kind of [trade],” Williams said Wednesday at the E3 Expo, where he promoted the video game “NBA Baller Beats….”
Los Angeles would love to have Odom back as well, but the Times has also reported that the any player can't return to a team they have been traded from. They have to wait a year. So the only way Odom can return is waiting by December, which is something he'll most likely not do. Odom has shown interest in the New York Knicks, so he may head there instead.
So where do the Lakers stand now?
They can stick with the core they have, but judging from the playoffs, some of them have lacked heart. The Lakers still have chance at getting someone. From my post on Wednesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves are rumored that they are willing to trade Michael Beasley in exchange for Jordan Hill.
It could be a solid fit for the Lakers. Along with that, they can also have a deal with the Houston Rockets. Kyle Lowry has shown frustration with Houston, and with Los Angeles needing a point guard, they can trade for him. Houston has shown a lot of interest in Gasol since last December, and were willing to give up guys like Luis Scola and Kevin Martin for him. A trade like this could definitely work.
The Lakers can also work out a deal with the Toronto Raptors. Toronto is rumored to have a trade-package that has the eighth overall pick with Ed Davis, along with either Jose Calderon or Andrea Bargnani. Los Angeles would love having a pair with Davis and Calderon, which fills the need in for Gasol leaving and getting a starting-caliber point guard. Also, not to mention the eighth pick, which they can use on for a guy like Perry Jones III.
Los Angeles is in for a big off-season. Expect to see some deals from them pretty soon.
Josh Dhani is the founder of FootBasket. He also contributes at Hoops Authority and Eight Points Nine Seconds. You can read more about him at his website. Follow him on Twitter@joshdhani.
