The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to just about every free agent expected to be available this summer, but according to one NBA insider, Lakers fans should temper their hopes of signing a marquee free agent like Marc Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge or Kevin Love.
Los Angeles will have the cap space to sign a big-name free agent this summer, but that doesn't mean it will get one. Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler hit the nail on his head when he broke down what tier of free agents the Lakers have a realistic chance of signing.
"I think the notion that a top 1% free agent is walking to the Lakers this summer is a little misplaced," Kyler wrote Tuesday. "I think the free agents that come to LA are the ones that need what LA is - a huge platform to be a star. The guys like Aldridge and Gasol already are stars - they want to win a championship next season. The Lakers can't offer that."
The allure of Los Angeles and a storied franchise will get the Lakers only so far. After back-to-back losing seasons and with Kobe Bryant on the way out, the Lakers are very much a team starting from the bottom. Picking up Julius Randle last year and having the No. 2 pick of this draft - likely either Jahlil Okafor, Karl-Anthony Towns or D'Angelo Russell - are two big pieces to build around, but that and the projected $20 million cap space this summer likely won't be enough to lure a top-tier free agent into signing.
Kyler said the Lakers have the best chance of signing a talented free agent who's climbing - or in Rajon Rondo's case, re-climbing - the ladder to stardom. That makes players like DeMarre Carroll, Tobias Harris, Khris Middleton and Rondo realistic targets for a franchise coming off a 21-win season.
