The LA Lakers is arguably the NBA's most popular team worldwide and players are always rumored to join them. 2017 may be the year that they finally make the breakthrough.
This early, various names are being rumored to join the Lakers in free agency but there is also the possibility of the Lakers making a trade for them since their cap space has been partially compromised with the long-term deals for Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng,
In a list from Hoops Habit, we evaluate the chances of the Lakers landing these rumored names.
Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz is a restricted free agent. The Frenchman is seen as one of the best rim protectors in the league which earned him the moniker "Stifle Tower." The Lakers have Mozgov, but if they had a real shot at Gobert, they would do it in a heartbeat.
Gobert is a restricted free agent and it won't be easy (or cheap) to gain his services. The Jazz will fight to the finish to retain him so the Lakers may have move on.
An under the radar prospect is Shaun Livingston. He has showed maturity in his game switching from whatever position the Warriors need (from point guard to small forward). The Lakers need someone like him to help the young guards. The Luke Walton connection and the fact that the Golden State Warriors have no cap space make this signing a favorable possibility.
In an analysis from Mercury News, Livingston is likely to be the player that the Warriors give up.
"Maybe it comes to this for Durant: The Warriors might need to either sacrifice Livingston or Iguodala to give Durant the full max (with cap space)... or he could take a little bit less (with the 20% raise not using cap space) and they could keep both."
If it boils down to Iguodala or Livingston, it would probably be the former for the Warriors since Iggy gets the toughest defensive wing assignments. Livingston is vital cog but he is replaceable. He was used in the "death lineup" when Harrison Barnes was in a shooting slump pushing Iggy to play the four. The Warriors would hardly have that problem with Kevin Durant around.
Lastly, we have another rim protector that used to be one of the NBA's best. Serge Ibaka is an ideal fit for the Lakers even now. He could play a small ball center with Julius Randle or Larry Nance at the four. He is not quite a superstar and his value has been reduced (since his role with the Thunder also diminished) but this only makes him a realistic target for the Lakers.