With the Los Angeles Lakers set on acquiring LaMarcus Aldridge or DeAndre Jordan, recent rumors have said that the Lakers are looking to trades to clear out some cap space. The most logical players who could be dealt are Nick Young and Ryan Kelly as they are two of the only players under contract for next season along with Kobe Bryant and Julius Randle.
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As free agency nears even closer, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reports that the Lakers have made calls to gauge interest in Young and Kelly:
Lakers made some "due diligence" calls today to gauge interest in guys like Kelly & Young, but it was just due diligence.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2015
Shelburne also noted that the chances of moving one or both would be difficult as most teams are looking to do the same:
Lakers have $23 million in cap space. They can only clear about $6-7 more. But it's unlikely because everyone trying to do the same
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2015
Clearing out the extra cap room could play a major factor in the team being able to add complimentary pieces if they are able to land one of their primary targets in Aldridge or Jordan. A maximum contract for either would start at $18.8 million, so clearing out Young and Kelly would leave the Lakers with around $11 million to add other pieces.
As Shelburne stated, however, many teams are currently trying to clear out more cap space for themselves so the Lakers may struggle getting someone to take one or both of those contracts without having to take something back.
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