The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly are targeting a star like Rajon Rondo or Goran Dragic in free agency to pair alongside Kobe Bryant in what will likely be his final season. Lakers center Jordan Hill, meanwhile, supposedly is now a part of Los Angeles' plans for next season and won't be traded or released this summer.
The Lakers have cap space to play with this summer, and according to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the team plans to use it to bring star power to Los Angeles in what's expected to be Bryant's final season in the league.
"The Lakers are not in the market for a guy who can make the team better; they need a bona fide star, the kind of player they thought they were getting when they traded for Dwight Howard in 2012," Deveney wrote Thursday. "... Assuming the Lakers stay in win-soon mode, it is a safe bet they will go hard after the two top point guards on the market, with Bryant's pal Rajon Rondo at the head of the list and Goran Dragic behind him."
While it's arguable to call either Rondo or Dragic a "star," multiple reports have linked the Lakers to the pair. Bryant has been a strong advocate of bringing Rondo to Los Angeles, and out of Rondo and Dragic, the current Mavericks guard seems most likely to leave his current team in free agency.
Rondo hasn't ruled out leaving Dallas in free agency and has said he would enjoy playing beside Bryant. The point guard seems likely to test the market in July because of the way things have gone for him after Boston traded him in December to Dallas. To put it simply, Rondo doesn't appear to be a fit with the Mavericks. His numbers have dropped since the trade and he clashed at least once with coach Rick Carlisle over play-calling responsibilities, although the two's relationship looks to be improving.
Dragic reportedly named Los Angeles as one of his preferred destinations for Phoenix to trade him to in February, and while things appear to be going well for Dragic in Miami, he seems likely to sign with whichever team offers him the most money in July. Given how much Miami gave up to acquire Dragic and his brother from Phoenix, it seems highly unlikely Heat president Pat Riley doesn't re-sign Dragic to a max deal this summer.
Other potential free-agent targets for Los Angeles include Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol and Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris.
Deveney also reported on Hill, whom many expected would be dealt before the Feb. 19 trade deadline. According to Deveney, Hill may have played himself into a future with the Lakers.
Per Deveney:
"Though the assumption when Jordan Hill signed a two-year deal worth $18 million last summer was that the Lakers would deal him by the trade deadline and that the second year of his contract (a team option) would not be exercised, sources have said all year that there is a distinct possibility the Lakers will, in fact, keep Hill going forward. ...
"The Lakers want to be active on the free-agent market, but considering the going rate for big men, front-office executives have told me the Lakers are leaning toward keeping Hill, unless they get some assurance they can land a star big man in free agency."
Hill, who's averaging 12.3 points and 8.2 rebounds this season, is due for a $9 million salary next season if Los Angeles chooses to exercise its team option on him.
