The Los Angeles Lakers have plenty to address during the off-season. The team currently owns a protected top-five pick and will find out where their selection lands during the NBA Draft Lottery held May 19. In addition, plenty of cap room is available to go out and sign free agents in July.
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One of the biggest names hitting the market is Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, who will become an unrestricted free agent. Many teams are expected to make a run at the former Defensive Player of the Year. However, the New York Knicks are believed to have no chance of landing him, according to his teammate and former Knick Beno Udrih via Bleacher Report’s Jared Zwerling:
Btw I recently asked B. Udrih (ex-Knick) to weigh M. Gasol to NY: "They're not going to get him. He's a laid-back guy & doesn't like drama."
— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) May 3, 2015
It was always suspected Gasol would return to the Grizzlies and continue leading the team into contention. Of course, free agency is often unpredictable and many players having different priorities at their respective stages of their career. Although the slim chances, any team looking to improve would be foolish not to try bringing in someone of Gasol’s caliber.
If Udrih’s inclinations are true, the Lakers could possibly be out of the running as well as media attention is rampant in Los Angeles just as it is in New York. Also, the Lakers will be team with plenty of question marks, including how effective Kobe Bryant will be coming off a torn rotator cuff surgery and recovery.
The team will possibly look else where to fill their roster needs. They need frontcourt help and could take on the draft or go after LaMarcus Alrdidge, whose future in Portland in questionable.
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