Pau Gasol (Photo : Twitter)
The Los Angeles Lakers will undoubtedly place all their chips in for next summer's free-agency top prize Kevin Durant. But in case they still can't get their hands on the no.1 option, these are the players the Lakers front-office will be zeroing in.
Hassan Whiteside - the former journeyman blossomed into one of the most promising young big men in the league last season with the Miami Heat. Averaging at least 11 points, 10 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game during the 2014-15 season, these numbers are expected to double up as he embraces a bigger role with the team this coming campaign.
The projected salary cap spike next summer will give the Heat more room to lock up Whiteside. However, Pat Riley is also eyeing Durant, and that could undermine their ability to present Whiteside the most lucrative deal available out there. The Lakers, despite the acquisition of Roy Hibbert, will pursue the best talent in the market. At center spot, Whiteside is in position to be a top-5 center with another big year with the Heat. The Lakers always love dominant big man manning the paint, and this is enough reason why they are going to throw their name in the race for Whiteside.
Pau Gasol - Coming off a monster tournament at the EuroBasket (averaging 25.6 points, 8,8 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game), Gasol will be entering his second year with the Chicago Bulls with renewed confidence in his game.
After this season, Gasol has the option to become an unrestricted free-agent. While he had an All-Star year with the Bulls, the Spaniard stressed that winning another championship remains his no.1 priority. A Bulls decline under first year head coach Fred Hoiberg could signal the end of Gasol's era in Windy City. The Lakers, on the other hand, will try to repair the bridge between them and Gasol, who helped the franchise win its last two championships. If the Lakers somehow put up a championship contender, through free-agency signings and internal improvement from D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson, Gasol might consider returning home for his swan song.
Harrison Barnes - Young, athletic and most of all, still has a lot of upside left in him. This is what the Golden State Warriors forward can present to teams in next summer's free-agency. Fresh from getting his first NBA championship ring with the Warriors, the former North Carolina Star is hungry for more accolades and could be ready to leave a surefire title-contender for a shot at more stardom and money.
The small forward spot is perhaps the weakest position the Lakers have the past five seasons. Yes, they signed Metta World Peace and drafted a couple of prospects, Anthony Brown and Larry Nance Jr, but the Lakers could improve a lot by nabbing Barnes at the price he wants. If the Lakers misses on Durant next summer, it won't be shocking at all to see them going hard at Barnes, who is years away from his prime at 23.
