Hassan Whiteside (Photo : Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers could become the biggest players in the 2016 Free Agency derby.
The Tinseltown team can have the most salary cap space and could sign up to three max contract players (dependent on certain factors).
Kevin Durant is at the top of their wish list, of course. Who would not want the former MVP and one of the game's best scorers? He even fits a need at the small forward division. However, there's realistically a very slim chance to pry him away from Oklahoma City.
In Silver Screen and Roll, it was discussed that Hassan Whiteside and Nicolas Batum are two players that the team should aggressively pursue.
Whiteside would make a great fit and fill the void at center, assuming they don't sign Roy Hibbert. Whiteside is younger, quicker and more athletic and currently leading the league in blocked shots. Also, he is eager for a max contract which the Lakers would be willing to give. The Lakers are also not contending with his Bird Rights since the Miami Heat does not have it.
Nicolas Batum is also named as a prospect that could play the small forward position or even the two if the Lakers do sign Durant. Hoops Habit has specifically recommended him as an ideal fit.
Batum will be 27 years old next season but he is actually still in his prime. In fact, with the young talent that the Lakers have in Russell, Randle and Clarkson, Batum would be a good leader yet still quick enough to run with the young guns.
The Frenchman is playing at an All-Star level and he is due for a max contract. He also knows that this is probably the turning point of his career and the Lakers have been historically great at highlighting players in their prime.
A starting five of Hassan Whiteside, Julius Randle, Nic Batum, D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson would be formidable-perhaps not contender level as yet but the young players still have a lot more to show. If the Lakers get to keep their top 3 pick, they would have a decent core to start with.
