The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to make a splash in free agency, and the team will reportedly have the ears of three big-name free agents this summer. Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love and Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe are all willing to meet with the Lakers in July, according to Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler.
Los Angeles will have some financial flexibility in the summer to make a splash in free agency. Even better, three of this year's biggest free agents reportedly are willing to visit with the Lakers and hear the team's pitch.
"So real money, let's peg the Lakers at $22.1 million (in cap space) to play with, that's enough for one serious max contract to an established veteran like Monroe, Rondo or Love - and all three are said to be willing to meet with the Lakers this summer," Kyler wrote Monday.
The Lakers have been linked to Rondo and Love since last summer, and recent reports indicate both players are unlikely to re-sign with their current teams, the Mavericks and the Cavaliers.
Kyler also reported Los Angeles has been linked to numerous other players, including Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler and Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris.
"The Lakers could also be the team that sets the price on Butler, Harris and makes things interesting for (Khris) Middleton in Milwaukee," Kyler wrote. "There has been talk of Marc Gasol; however, that's viewed as a long shot. The Lakers could try to tempt LaMarcus Aldridge out of Portland, but that's, again, another long shot.
"The Lakers are also linked to (Reggie) Jackson in Detroit and even Brandon Knight in Phoenix."
Los Angeles will have competition for any player they try to sign, however. A number of teams - such as the New York Knicks, the Boston Celtics, the Detroit Pistons and the Philadelphia 76ers - will have plenty of money to wave at free agents, most of whom the Lakers are interested in.
