The Los Angeles Lakers are fresh off winning their 17th title in franchise history but, as you may know by now, there’s no such thing as a break when it comes to the NBA, and you can be sure that there are already many teams trying to tear the Champions apart.
Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers have a lot of planning to do ahead of next season if they want to be back at basketball’s ultimate stage, which means that they’re likely going to have to part ways with some of the players who helped them lift the trophy.
Either in free agency or via trades, it’s unlikely that the Los Angeles Lakers will stay with the same roster they had this season, especially if they want to add another third star. Today, we’ll show you the biggest Lakers rumors right now:
Rajon Rondo To Opt-Out
2-time NBA Champion Rajon Rondo is set to opt-out of the final year of his deal with the Lakers and test free agency, and believe it or not, there’s still a lot of market for such a savvy veteran, especially considering how well he played in the playoffs.
Rondo is going to draw a lot of interest from contending teams looking to add depth in the point guard spots, and, as we reported earlier, he could be a nice fit for the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, or Miami Heat if the Lakers don’t bring him back.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Will Also Opt-Out
Even though Kentavous Caldwell-Pope was one of the favorite targets of Lakers fans over the past couple of years, his defense and timely shooting came huge down the stretch for them, especially in the last three games of the NBA Finals.
That’s why the Atlanta Hawks are reportedly interested in signing him to a long-term deal, which means the Lakers are likely going to have to let him walk. Unless he takes a pay cut to run it back, we’re not going to see him in the purple-and-gold next season.
Golden State Warriors Interested In Dwight Howard
Dwight Howard paid his dues. He capped off his redemption season by helping the Los Angeles Lakers win an NBA Championship 7 years after leaving the franchise on bad terms. He also proved that he’s still a productive big man with a lot left in the tank.
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly interested in signing Dwight Howard in the summer and now that he’s gotten a taste of an NBA Championship, he could be lured to the bay. That, assuming the Lakers don’t convince him to run it back.
Various Teams Interested In Kyle Kuzma
It’s pretty clear that the Los Angeles Lakers hold Kyle Kuzma to a high standard, as they refused to trade him away for Anthony Davis and decided to hold on to him throughout the season. Now, the time for a break up could be zooming in.
Kuzma is entering the final year of his rookie deal and there are a lot of teams interested in making a run at him and sign him to a long-term extension, something the Lakers may not be able to do if they want to trade for Chris Paul as rumored.
Next
Comparing Legendary Seasons: Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James At Age 35
LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan: An Entire Hall Of Fame Career Still Separates Them
NBA Rumors: 5 Trades That Will Help The Los Angeles Lakers Win Back to Back Titles
LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan: An Entire Hall Of Fame Career Still Separates Them
