With the playoffs pretty much a distant possibility now, the Los Angeles Lakers will be looking to improve a roster that didn't work too well. That comes once the season ends as the NBA free agency period begins. There will be plenty of big-name stars to consider too such as Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Klay Thompson. However, a recent report indicates that Jimmy Butler may be a recipient of a big Lakers' offer when it comes to a free agency signing. In addition, the Lakers could have their eye on two former All-Star big men for their roster.
Lakers potential Jimmy Butler offer
While Jimmy Butler has been a welcome star in Philadelphia with the 76ers, that is probably going to change after their playoff run ends. The team is hoping to reach the NBA Finals with the star-powered roster they currently have. Even if the team doesn't, they're likely to keep Tobias Harris and let Jimmy Butler go. They simply won't be able to pay everyone what they want in terms of their 2019 NBA free agents. Their loss could be the Lakers' gain.
In a recent report at Amico Hoops, Colton Jones mentions the possibility of a Lakers offer. He indicates ESPN's Kevin Arnovitz said Los Angeles could "extend a four-year, $141 million maximum contract offer" to the multiple-time All-Star.
That would happen if the team is feeling pressure to sign a "big name talent," per Arnovitz's statement.
That is likely to happen if the L.A. Lakers are unable to get one of the other major free NBA agent stars out there. Those included the aforementioned players like Durant, Leonard, Thompson, and even Kyrie Irving. Even so, adding Jimmy Butler doesn't seem all that bad, but will he be enough to help LeBron out in Los Angeles?
Lakers could add big man other than Davis
There are also lingering rumors about adding a big man to the roster. The Lakers' trade offer to the Pelicans for Anthony Davis didn't work out ahead of this season's deadline. There's still potential for an offseason trade around NBA draft time, which would probably involve some extra bargaining power with a high lottery draft pick.
However, the Lakers could also go after one of two "second-tier" big men besides Davis.
Lakers Nation cites ESPN's Tim McMahon from "The Hoops Collective" podcast. DeMarcus Cousins joining the Lakers was brought up and McMahon said, “That’s definitely a rumor out there. DeAndre Jordan, too.” It's not the first time Cousins was mentioned, as his name previously popped up on ESPN's "The Jump" by Rachel Nichols, Zach Lowe, and Tracy McGrady.
DeAndre Jordan was previously mentioned as a possibility, where the Lakers might get him if the Knicks bought him out. However, the Knicks kept him past the NBA's deadline to waive players. Since NY could still technically make the playoffs right now, he's a part of their playoff roster.
However, DeMarcus Cousins is someone who is only with the Golden State Warriors for this season, so he could choose to sign with the Lakers as an NBA free agent this summer.
Basically, the bad news is that the Los Angeles Lakers probably won't make the playoffs. The good news is that the Lakers seem like they'll have plenty to work with in terms of adding complementary All-Star talent to the roster, alongside star LeBron James.