Kristaps Porzingis and D'Angelo Russell (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
New York Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis could be the team's selling point to sign players in the market this summer, and rumors have it that the Latvian rookie may have more leverage in attracting free agents than the Los Angeles Lakers' core of young talents.
The Knicks and Lakers are two of the many teams who are looking to realign their respective franchises back into title contention thru this summer's free agency.
Both teams are expected to use their core of young talents as selling points to top-talented free agents, with Porzingis for the Knicks and the youngster trio of D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle for the Lakers.
The Knicks and the Lakers certainly have the market to lure free agents, but LA seem to be in pole position to land one or two max contract players, with the 16-time NBA champs having plenty of cap-room for a big splash, thanks to the NBA's new TV deal and Kobe Bryant coming off the books.
However, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Knicks could be a more desirable destination for free agents, with Porzingis as the rare young player who could affect free agents' decision and lure them into playing in the Big Apple.
"Elite free agents generally aren't as interested in young talent as they are veteran, winning talent in its prime," Wojnarowski said, reports Yahoo Sports. "But Kristaps Porzingis of the Knicks is an exception. He's far more and will be far more intriguing to free agents than say, the Lakers' young core."
The 7-foot-3 Latvian is certainly capable of attracting free agents, with the rookie posting a season average of 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. The numbers are not exactly All-Star level outputs, but there is no doubt Porzingis has the potential to be that type of player in a few years.
Meanwhile, the Lakers' core of young talents could also be enticing to some free agents, although Russell's recent blunder could be a factor in giving players a second thought to consider the Purple and Gold this summer.
But it is still a fact that LA have plenty of space to sign the likes of Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan and Hassan Whiteside to max deals.
Moreover, the Lakers have a chance to pick in the top three of this year's draft class and it would certainly be part of their pitch to lure free agents.
Shaquille O'Neal, former Lakers player and now works as an NBA analyst, believes there is going to be plenty of options for the LA now that Bryant will retire at the end of the season.
Shaq on @ESPNLosAngeles (1/2): “Now that Kobe's gone, I think the door is going to open up for guys wanting to be the next whatever...
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) March 31, 2016
Shaq (2/2):"It'll be a lot of pressure on guys, especially guards & centers but there’s going to be a lot of big name free agents out there” — Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) March 31, 2016
The Knicks and Lakers may have the best shot in persuading free agents in July, but it would still depend on free agents' preference for the team they want to play with
