The Los Angeles Lakers could be a potential destination for Stephen Curry in the summer of 2017, when the two-time NBA-MVP hits free agency.
Curry will be one of the most sought-after free agent next summer, with the one-time NBA champ entering the final year of his four-year $44 million contract with the Warriors. While many strongly believe Curry would remain in Golden State in the next few years, recent rumors suggest half of the Splash Brothers could head elsewhere, with the Lakers appearing as a potential destination.
Bleacher Report's NBA analyst Ric Bucher claimed last month that teams like the San Antonio Spurs would attempt to woo Curry from the Bay Area, especially if the Warriors' super-team experiment with Kevin Durant won't work. But a report from Morning News USA explored the possibility of the Lakers luring Curry to Tinsel Town, with Luke Walton as the main bait.
According to the report, Walton could play as the main recruiter for Curry and convince the 28-year-old star point guard to take over the Lakers in a post-Kobe Bryant era. The Lakers' core of young talents in D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Brandon Ingram could also become a selling point for Curry.
After a lackluster offseason, the Lakers are expected to bounce back next summer as they were able to maintain a flexible cap space to chase after stars. Curry, who have been remarkable for the Warriors in the last two seasons, should be in the Lakers' list of targets, but NBA analyst Arthur Hill of Hoops Rumors slams such possibility, insisting Golden State will "take care of Curry next summer."
"It may be fun for Lakers fans to dream about the possibility of Golden State players following their former coach to L.A., but we can't envision any scenario where Curry leaves the Warriors," Hill wrote.
"The Warriors aren't in a position to renegotiate right now, especially after signing Kevin Durant, but they will take care of Curry next summer. The Lakers will have to look elsewhere for stars."
Anything can still develop with plenty of months before next summer's free agency begins, and at this point, if the Lakers truly wish to have Curry playing under Walton again, they can only hope Curry's tandem with Durant won't yield very promising results.