The Los Angeles Lakers are at the beginning of what could be an extensive rebuilding process. Kobe Bryant is in the twilight of his career while Mitch Kupchak and company attempts to put the pieces back together in free agency and through the 2014 NBA Draft.
It remains to been seen if the Lakers will be able to get back to prominence in the Western Conference in the near future. Former head coach Phil Jackson spoke to Sam Amick of USA Today recently, talking about many different topics with the current state of the Lakers being one of those topics.
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Jackson believes it’ll be tough for the Lakers to make a considerable impact in free agency in the off-season with limited options. The Hall of Fame head coach also isn’t sure Pau Gasol will re-sign with the Lakers:
Well really, there’s a limited free agent market this year. Luol Deng, and Pau Gasol is going to be a free agent — they can resign their own guy, which I don’t know if Pau would want to re-sign with them or not. Maybe he feels that’s not the best place, but he likes LA, he likes the fans. Who else is in the free agent market besides Luol that jumps (at you)?
With LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony all likely to remain with their current teams, no potential game-changers for the Lakers will be available.
As Jackson points out, only Luol Deng and Pau Gasol stick out among the rest. A case could also be made for Kyle Lowry, but it is safe to assume Gasol and Deng will be the most sought after free agents come July.
All indications appear to point to the Lakers not making any considerable moves in free agency with a focus on the summers of 2015 and 2016. That may change in July, but as of right now, the Lakers aren’t expected to make any major signings.
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