With another dismal season about to enter the he Los Angeles Lakers' record books, the team are already looking at prospects in this summer's free agency, where they have a chance to pace themselves into serious contenders next season.
The have plenty of work to do in the offseason to bring the franchise back to its glorious days after yet another disappointing season for the Purple and Gold.
But with Kobe Bryant set to retire at the end of the 2015-2016 season, the Lakers will have more leverage in cap flexibility to sign marquee free agents in July.
According to the latest NBA rumors, two of the Lakers' potential targets in the market are Dallas Mavericks' Chandler Parsons and Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside.
Tim MacMahon of ESPN reported that the Lakers are one of the teams interested in Parsons if the 27-year-old small forward decides to opt out of his three-year $46 million contract with the Mavs.
Parsons had limited minutes with the Mavs early this season following a minor hybrid microfracture surgery on his right knee last May. But the versatile forward has finally playing effectively and has picked up the right time to get things rolling, and could very well be looking for a max contract elsewhere once the market opens.
MacMahon noted that sources familiar with Parson's thinking believe the Swiss army knife forward would prefer "comfort and the best opportunity to reach his potential - not dollar" if he declines his player option with the Mavs.
The Lakers seem to be the ideal spot if Parsons would really like to reach his full potential. Los Angeles have plenty of young talents heading into next season, and Parsons, in his fourth year in the NBA, could lead the likes of Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and D'Angelo Russell in Tinsel Town.
Meanwhile, Whiteside has turned heads this season after consistently posting monster numbers for the Heat. Like Parsons, Whiteside is expected to be pursued by teams like the Lakers, where the 7-foot center would have a chance not only for a hefty salary, but also to be LA's franchise big man, according to Sports Illustrated's Cody Williams.
"Whiteside isn't any less divisive than he is for any other team when it comes to the Lakers, but they seem like a highly likely destination for the big man this summer in free agency as of right now," Williams noted.
Whiteside would give the Lakers a dominant big, who should fit well with the team's young core of talents. Add in Parsons, the Lakers instantly turn into the league's youngest competitive team next season.
There is a chance that such move would be possible for the Lakers, who will have more than $60 million of available cap room to sign top free agents. However, the Lakers should expect stiff competition in signing Parsons and/or Whiteside as other teams also have both players high on their list this summer.