The Los Angeles Lakers, coming off a franchise-low 17-65 season, are desperate to add some established talent this offseason that will help them get back into the playoff picture. L.A.'s thirst for a true blue star is no secret - just yesterday it was rumored that the team would be making a hard push to trade for Indiana Pacers star Paul George this offseason - but what is unknown is how the Lakers will attract these franchise cornerstones.
L.A. has an intriguing young nucleus in place with Jordan Clarkson, D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle, but they aren't ready to start competing for championships. The Lakers likely know that, which is why they may be pursuing other established players in free agency this summer to help them lure a big fish.
Golden State Warriors starting small forward Harrison Barnes may be on L.A.'s radar this summer. Barnes is scheduled to become a restricted free agent after he and the team could not come to terms on a long-term extension by the Nov. 2 deadline. He's expected to draw plenty of interest on the open market.
"I think he's capable of averaging 18 a game here if the Lakers sign him and brought him here," Lakers analyst Mychal Thompson said. "I think he could be more of a featured scorer, maybe a No. 2 option, maybe even a No. 1 on certain nights. He's capable of putting up in the high 20s. He's a very good shooter, can get to the basket, very athletic. He just hasn't been asked to do very much in Golden State, but coming here, he'd be asked to do more, and I think he could."
L.A. will have around $57 million in salary cap space this offseason, more than enough to offer two max contracts starting around $21 million to prospective free agents. While the Warriors are expected to match offers sheets for Barnes, a max deal would prove too difficult to stomach in Golden State.
Furthering the Barnes-to-L.A. notion is the Lakers' recent hiring of Warriors assistant coach Luke Walton as the new man in charge on the sidelines. If L.A. does not keep its top-three protected pick in this year's draft, small forward could be a major need that Walton may want to address with a familiar face.
Barnes averaged 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists this past season while shooting 46 percent from the field and 38 percent from deep. Barnes, a former lottery pick, has long been thought to be capable of more if given the opportunity.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
