Al Horford and Kent Bazemore (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers could be eyeing to sign two of the Atlanta Hawks' incoming free agents.
The Lakers are in dire need of upgrades at the wing and center spots, which are the positions the Lakers would probably prioritize in free agency. With Roy Hibbert heading to free agency and the team lacking an elite defender and scorer at the wing, the Lakers could be looking at pursuing Kent Bazemore and Al Horford, according to Lake Show Life's Cody Williams.
Bazemore, who played 23 games for the Lakers during the 2013-2014 season, has established himself as an elite three-and-D player for the Hawks, averaging 11.6 points per game while shooting 44.1 percent from the field. While his three-point shooting (35.7 percent) had a dip in the postseason, he could still be a reliable option as a scorer.
"He's [Bazemore] a player that fits a need and still has upside if he's given the right chances. As long as he's not breaking the bank, he should be a target for LA," Williams wrote.
While Bazemore has expressed interest to return with the Hawks next season, there would certainly be plenty of suitors awaiting him once the market opens. The Lakers could offer the 26-year-old small forward a more lucrative deal than Bazemore's two-year $4 million contract with the Hawks.
Meanwhile, Horford would be an interesting addition for the Lakers, a team that has been missing a dominant big man since Pau Gasol left to join the Chicago Bulls. Horford would be a perfect veteran presence to lead the Lakers' pack of young talents, and would serve well as someone who could mentor Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr.
Horford, who averaged 15.2 points and 7.3 rebounds this season, would probably command a max contract from other teams. Like, Bazemore, the All-Star big man has expressed a desire to remain in Atlanta, but with plenty of teams having big cash to spend on free agents, Horford could certainly be enticed to take his talents elsewhere.
"Given the Lakers need for a center this offseason, LA should definitely have Horford in mind when they go shopping on the open market. If they didn't, at the very least, offer Horford a max contract, I would be shocked," Williams noted.
With Bazemore and Horford heading into the summer market as unrestricted free agents, there would be tough competition to sign two of the top free agents available this year. But with the Lakers having a massive war chest of $62.6 million in cap space to pursue top talents this summer, there is a chance LA could be among the favorites to land the likes of Bazemore and Horford in free agency.
