The rumors surrounding the Los Angeles Lakers have been running rampant and free agency hasn’t even started yet. The team already has meetings set up with LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Jordan, Kevin Love and Greg Monroe, but those aren’t the only bigs available.
— Have you seen the ‘Bleed Purple and Gold’ phone case? —
According to Chris Broussard of ESPN, the Lakers are interested in veteran centers Tyson Chandler and Robin Lopez:
Sources: Lakers meeting w/Greg Monroe Wednesday. Also interested in Tyson Chandler & Robin Lopez
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 1, 2015
Either of those big men would make sense for the Lakers, especially if they are able to land prized power forward LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge is known to prefer playing with a defensive-minded center and both would fit the bill. In fact, Aldridge already has established chemistry with Lopez who has been his teammate in Portland for the last two seasons.
The Lakers have been working towards clearing out some extra cap space. They have reportedly made calls to ‘gauge interest’ in both Nick Young and Ryan Kelly. Clearing both of those contracts out would give the Lakers about $7 million more in salary cap space.
The center position is still a position of major need for the Lakers even if they don’t land Aldridge or another big name. Chandler and Lopez would be a major upgrade and help the Lakers on defense and the boards. Complimentary pieces like these players could be the difference in the Lakers jumping back into contention next season.
[divide]