The Los Angeles Lakers could be considering a deal for New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans, with LA seeking expiring deals to keep cap room open for next summer.
The Lakers could already be preparing for next year's free agency, with LA rumored to be seeking expiring deals to keep the team's cap space open for the summer of 2017.
With the Lakers yet to officially sign second overall pick Brandon Ingram, Tarik Black and Marcelo Huertas, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders believe Los Angeles could be prepping for another offseason trade, particularly a Jose Calderon-like trade, where the Lakers were able to acquire the veteran's expiring contract and future round picks from the Chicago Bulls.
Pincus also added that if the Lakers decide to waive or stretch Nick Young, the team would have $13 million in cap room, enough to facilitate a trade for players with expiring deals. According Cody Williams of Lake Show Life, a fan site hosted by Sports Illustrated, one of the players the Lakers could target is New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans.
"Ultimately, this feels like where this will be headed for the Lakers," Williams wrote. "Not only does Tyreke Evans making just north of $10 million for the 2016-17 season fit right into the salary parameters already set forth, but it's also not much of a secret that the New Orleans Pelicans are in a position where they desperately need to re-work their roster to make them relevant in the Western Conference."
After Eric Gordon's departure, there is a growing sense that Evans could be the next to leave New Orleans. With the Pelicans seemingly settled moving forward with Solomon Hill, Jrue Holiday and Buddy Hield, Evans could be the expendable piece to clear some cap space in the team's backcourt.
As noted by Williams, Evans to the Lakers would be a "weird fit" as LA already has an established backcourt rotation of D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Lou Williams and Calderon. But for the sake of keeping cap flexibility for next summer, when stars like Russell Westbrook and Blake Griffin could be available, the Lakers could be more than willing to absorb Evan's contract.
It is uncertain whether the Lakers are truly attempting another offseason move, but it is unlikely they include Ingram in any potential transaction unless a blockbuster deal comes up. Nevertheless, following a lackluster free agency, expect the Lakers to swing for the fence next summer.