The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly looking at adding veteran players to their young core. According to league sources, President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka recently met with Andre Iguodala and Rajon Rondo in the initial days of free agency period.
Pursuit for Vets
The Lakers boast one of the most promising young cores in the association with 2017 Draft no.2 overall pick Lonzo Ball joining last year’s top-2 pick Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr. Ivica Zubac and Jordan Clarkson in the purple-and-gold’s youth brigade.
However, the Lakers top brass understands the team also needs veteran presence to keep the ship stable.
According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Lakers landed a meeting with Rondo and Iguodala, two gritty veterans who could help a young squad like the Lakers. Iguodala also had a meeting with the San Antonio Spurs before reaching a verbal agreement with the Warriors on a three-year, $48 million deal.
Rondo, on the other hand, was cut by the Bulls following management’s decision to push the re-build button. The Lakers reportedly want Rondo to mentor Ball, but the former All-Star is also considering a potential reunion with Doc River with the Los Angeles Clippers.
“However, like Iguodala with Ingram, Rondo could be a veteran leader and mentor Ball if he signed with the Purple and Gold,” per Scott Polacek of Bleacher Report.
Kicking tires for Iman Shumpert
The Lakers are one of at least four teams (Raptors, Timberwolves and Kings) that expressed interest in trading for Iman Shumpert. The Cleveland Cavaliers have been trying to trade the perimeter defender the past few days, but recent trade talks with the Houston Rockets lost momentum. Houston then moved on to sign 3-and-D player P.J Tucker, leaving the Cavs with few options to unload Shumpert’s contract ($22.5 million over two years).
Shumpert, who averaged 7.5 points on 41 percent shooting in 25 minutes per game, hasn’t developed into a solid two-way player, though he’s an elite perimeter defender. The Lakers, a team that clearly needs a reliable wing stopper, could make a serious run at Shumpert over the next few days of free agency. Los Angeles might be trying to use Jordan Clarkson ($12.5 million per year) as trade chip for Shumpert.
While Clarkson is a better scorer than Shumpert, his defense continues to be a pressing issue for the 25-year old guard. The Lakers already dangled Clarkson in an attempt to salvage Paul George from the Indiana Pacers, and it won’t be supervising if Magic uses him again as trade bait.
