The Lakers have made their intentions clear that they plan to do make some major changes to their roster soon. With numerous big names entering free agency in the next two years, rumors have been swirling about possibilities for the Lakers.
The name that has come up the most as of late has been Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love who is a free agent in 2015. The more immediate possibility, who will be available this offseason, is New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony. According to Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops, Anthony could be choosing between the Lakers and the Knicks this offseason:
Should Anthony decide money won’t buy happiness this time around, the Los Angeles Lakers represent his best option to join a team with a proven winning track record, the ability to pay him adequately and a fellow star in Kobe Bryant. The Lakers can offer a four-year, $96 million deal and are located in a large market that Anthony and his wife, LaLa, desire.
Teaming Anthony with Kobe Bryant would immediately give the Lakers one of the best one-two punches in the game, and a nearly unstoppable wing scoring combo. Adding Anthony, however, would end any chance of the team bringing in Love so the team would have to make sure that Anthony is the guy they want to lead them in the future.
The Knicks, of course, can still offer Anthony $30 million more than the Lakers which will be a big factor on where he decides to go this offseason. If the Lakers are able to add Anthony with Bryant, and a top draft pick in one of the best drafts in recent memory, the Lakers won’t be down for long.
UPDATE: According to Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, a source close to the situation believes the Chicago Bulls are much more in play for Carmelo Anthony than Los Angeles:
“Chicago is much more in play for him than L.A.,” the source said.
The Bulls traded Luol Deng for draft picks and are leaning strongly toward using the amnesty provision on Carlos Boozer. They could create a maximum contract slot for Anthony, pairing him with Derrick Rose.
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