With a massive amount of cap space and a glaring need for a talent upgrade, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be a major player in free agency next summer.
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One possible target could be Phoenix Suns point guard Goran Dragic, who is expected to opt out of his contract after this season. According to Mike Gavin of Newsday, Dragic says he would not be afraid to play with Lakers star Kobe Bryant:
Free agent to be Goran Dragic on idea that Kobe Bryant scares away free agents: "I'm never intimidated. I don't believe that is the case."
— Mike Gavin (@MikeGavin7) December 20, 2014
Bryant has come under a lot of criticism recently for supposedly being a difficult player to play with. Numerous players, however, have come to Bryant’s defense with Paul George reportedly being mortified of reports saying he didn’t want to play with Kobe, and Kevin Durant outright saying he would want to play with a guy like him.
Dragic would be a huge upgrade at the point guard position and the Lakers are expected to be one of his major suitors this off-season. Though his numbers have tailed off this season as he adjusts to playing with two other point guards in Phoenix, he won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award last year after averaging 20 points and six assists.
With Rajon Rondo being traded to the Dallas Mavericks, the likelihood of him coming to the Lakers this summer has dropped significantly making player like Dragic, Reggie Jackson, or Brandon Knight possibly more attainable for the Lakers.
[divide]Lakers Byron Scott On Kobe Bryant’s Fatigue, Nick Young Ejection