Markieff Morris (Photo : Reuters File)
The Los Angeles Lakers apparently aren't done tweaking their roster make-up for next season as they have been linked to several players who are labeled available in the free-agency market or on the trading block.
The Lakers have beefed up their frontline by adding Brandon Bass through free-agency and Roy Hibbert through trade. They have also injected more firepower into the backcourt by signing Lou Williams and drafting D'Angelo Russell. But the Lakers top executives still feel the team needs another acquisition or two to keep themselves in the thick of things in what will likely be a very brutal Western Conference battle.
As usual, the Lakers have been tied to rumors left and right, but only few of these have legs to stand. It's time to buy or sell these rumors once and for all.
Mario Chalmers
According to latest chatter around the association, the Lakers have reportedly shown interest in Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers. Inquisitr speculated that Chalmers could be heading to Los Angeles soon as the Heat looks to create financial flexibility by unloading his contract while the Lakers seek more depth at the backcourt spot.
Buy it or Sell it: Although general manager Mitch Kupchak hinted at the possibility of adding another playmaker in the wake of D'Angelo Russell's not so impressive Summer League, it's unlikely the Lakers will make a play on Chalmers because a.) they don't have the cap space or large room exception to absorb the guard's contract b.) the Heat may not want additional salaries in return if they ever trade Chalmers, more so a reported trade package of Robert Sacre and Ryan Kelly who haven't done much in their careers. It's safe to say this trade won't work one way or another.
JaVale McGee
Basketball Insiders analyst Alex Kennedy put the Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks as front-runners to sign veteran center JaVale McGee. The 7-foot shotblocker played roughly three seasons with the Denver Nuggets before he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers at February trade deadline.
The Mavericks are expected to pursue him following their botched deal with DeAndre Jordan, but the Lakers' interest in him came as a surprise considering they already acquired a starting center in Hibbert.
Sources close to JaVale McGee say he's focused on getting healthy. Several teams have shown interest. Mavs, Lakers seem like frontrunners.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) August 8, 2015
Buy it or Sell it: Despite their acquisition to address their interior defense this offseason, the Lakers may still need frontline depth and insurance in case Hibbert succumbed to injury at some point next season. Averaging 1.8 blocks in his career, McGee should give the Lakers more dimension at the center spot because of his athleticism and ability to run up-and-down the floor. Setting aside his boneheaded miscues in the past, McGee would be a nice acquisition for the Lakers on a vet minimum contract. Buy it. Markieff Morris After the Suns traded his twin brother Marcus Morris to the Detroit Pistons, Markieff Morris became the latest Suns player to seek a way out of Phoenix. Morris, who averaged 11.4 points and 5.4 rebounds in 25 minutes per game over his four-year career, is already drawing interest from multiple teams, including the Pistons, Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but Basketball Insiders Eric Pincus believed the Lakers should pursue a trade for Morris since he can provide what the Lakers' current roster is missing - a versatile big man who can play the 3 or 4 spot.
Don't give me, Lakers shouldn't try to get Markieff Morris because he plays the same position as Randle - come on now people — Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) July 4, 2015
Buy it or Sell It: Morris has been one of the most consistent players for the Suns despite getting a meager of playing time the past four seasons. At 6-foot-10, 245-pound, Morris is big enough to outmuscle smaller small forwards and quick enough to blow by flat-footed power forwards. In addition, he's a career 32 percent shooter from the three-point line, making him a fantastic floor spacer for any team.
Don't give me, Lakers shouldn't try to get Markieff Morris because he plays the same position as Randle - come on now people — Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) July 4, 2015
The Lakers have a logjam of trigger-happy players on their backcourt: Kobe Bryant, Lou Williams and Nick Young. From these players, the Lakers will more likely part ways with Young over the two simply because of his issues with Byron Scott.
The Suns, on the other hand, are in dire need of three-point shooting. A motivated and focused Young could help the Suns right away because of his long-distance shooting (37 percent from beyond the arc) and ability to create his own shots. A package consists of Young and Ryan Kelly would suffice the financial requirement of the deal, but it all hinges on the Suns decision whether they pursue a divorce with the budding forward.
