The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be major players in free agency this season and there are a number of very talented players who will be available. One of the top unrestricted free agents this summer is Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol.
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A number of teams will be pursuing Gasol this off-season and according to Michael Wallace of ESPN, the Lakers are among the teams already preparing a proposal for Gasol once free agency begins on July 1:
The San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks all are developing proposals to present to Gasol when the free-agency recruiting period opens July 1, according to multiple league sources.
This should come as no surprise as the Lakers have been linked not only to Gasol, but most of the top potential free agents of 2015. Gasol is arguably the top two-way center in the NBA. He won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2013 and this year, averaged a career-high 17.8 points to go along with 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 blocks.
The chances of actually landing Gasol, however, seem relatively slim. Most expect Gasol to remain in Memphis as he went to high school in the city and has a very close relationship with his Grizzlies teammates. The team the Grizzlies supposedly fear the most is the San Antonio Spurs, who will also have the ability to offer Gasol a max contract.
Even if the Lakers fail in their pursuit of Gasol, big men like LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Jordan, and Greg Monroe will also be available. With the Lakers landing the second pick in the draft, it is expected that they will wind up with either Jahlil Okafor or Karl-Anthony Towns, both centers. If that turns out to be the case, the Lakers may begin focusing a little more on other positions in free agency.
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