With the Los Angeles Lakers having the fourth worst record in the NBA through 44 games, there have been numerous rumors about which players the team will pursue in free agency. Since the Lakers are projected to have approximately $30 million in cap space, they will be able to sign two players to max contracts in July.
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One of the players the Lakers are expected to express interest in is Phoenix Suns guard, Goran Dragic. With the Lakers needing to upgrade the point guard position, Dragic says every team will be an option for him in free agency via Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle:
Every team in the NBA is an option to me, because it is a privilege to play for any team in the NBA. When the time comes I’m going to sit down with my family and my agent and try to make the best decision for myself.
While Dragic says Phoenix is home, he will ultimately do what is best for his career, via Feigen:
I feel like home is Phoenix. They give me everything. They bring me into the league. I have a lot of friends here, a lot of family. But that doesn’t mean anything, because I need to look at my career. We’ll see what is going to happen.
Throughout his career, Dragic has been very complimentary of Kobe Bryant. While some former teammates have had difficulties with Kobe’s demanding style of leadership, Dragic recently said that he would not be ‘intimidated’ to play alongside the five-time champion.
With head coach Byron Scott inserting Jordan Clarkson into the starting lineup to see what he can do for the rest of the season, it will be interesting to see which players the Lakers ultimately pursue this upcoming off-season. After striking out on LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony last summer, this will be one of the most important off-seasons for the franchise in recent history.
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