Dwyane Wade (Photo : Getty Images/Vaughn Ridley)
The Los Angeles Lakers will aggressively pursue free-agent shooting guard Dwyane Wade, who could provide leadership and stability in the wake of Kobe Bryant's departure as the franchise's top cog.
The 34-year old Wade becomes the latest All-Star free-agent who has made himself available on the open market after his initial negotiation with the Miami Heat didn't go well.
According to NBA Insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Wade representatives have already contacted the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks, teams capable of creating room to sign him, regarding his situation.
However, there are also speculations that the Lakers also want to make a run at Wade, who played 74 games last season (the most in the last four years) and put up 19 points, 4.1 points and 4.6 assists for the Heat.
In an interview with Baxter Holmes of ESPN Now, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said that he's looking to add a veteran capable of stepping up as the leader of a team consists mostly of young players such Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr., Brandon Ingram, D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson (if re-signed).
Many analysts believe Wade would be perfect leader for these Lakers youngsters as they learn their way around at this stage of their careers.
"History tells you that a bunch of young guys on the team is probably not a good thing," Kupchak said via Hoops Rumors. "They look around for leadership or they look around for advice from somebody who's been through this a couple times, and if there's nobody to talk to, well, you don't know how to handle the situation.
"So I think we will look to add some veteran leadership and hopefully it's not only leadership but guys who can help us win games."
Then again, many think it would take a lot cash for the Lakers to get Wade's service because of the competition in free-agency. The Lakers have the cap space to sign him to a max deal, though any transaction with Wade could prevent them from bringing other free-agent targets such as Hassan Whiteside, Nicolas Batum and Harrison Barnes.
