UPDATE (9:39 PM PST): According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers expressed interest in Carmelo Anthony and will meet with him on Thursday:
The Lakers registered interest in Carmelo Anthony tonight and will be meeting with him on Thursday, source tells ESPN
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2014
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The 2014 NBA free agency period has officially begun with the Los Angeles Lakers ready to try and right the ship with an enormous amount of cap space at their disposal.
The first moves the Lakers brass will make is a couple of phone calls to the representatives of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony to setup meetings, according to Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times:
Free agency has officially started. Right about now, Lakers are calling reps for LeBron James + Carmelo Anthony, trying to set up meetings.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 1, 2014
Although considered a long shot, the Lakers front office could attempt to bring in both LeBron and Carmelo this summer. Mitch Kupchak and company would try to put together another “Big 3” to compete in a highly competitive Western Conference.
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LeBron and Carmelo would ideally join Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles. If unable to land LeBron, who is the biggest name on the free agent market, the Lakers could try and pair Anthony and Pau Gasol with Kobe.
It remains to be seen if any other these scenarios are possible, but the Lakers brass will do everything within their power to grab the two best players available.
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Lakers Mitch Kupchak On Coach Search And Free Agency