With three games remaining in the 2014-15 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers are evaluating their roster while shifting their focus to the off-season. After two consecutive seasons in the lottery, the franchise is in unfamiliar territory and faces the most important off-season in over a decade.
— Think You Know Everything About Kobe Bryant? Take The Ultimate Kobe Quiz! —
With a projected $28 million in cap space, the Lakers will be players once again in free agency. While the attention has been on players like Marc Gasol, Rajon Rondo and Goran Dragic, Tobias Harris has been mentioned as possibility. However, Magic GM Rob Hennigan intends to re-sign Harris according to Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel:
Magic GM Rob Hennigan says the club “intends” to bring back F Tobias Harris – a restricted free agent – “no matter what” the cost this summer. At $15 mill per year? Seeing is believing.
Before the start of the season, Harris was looking for a contract near max money, but was unable to reach an extension with the Magic. As a result, he will become a restricted free agent with the Lakers and New York Knicks reportedly interested in him.
Along with ample cap space, the Lakers may potentially have four picks in the 2015 NBA Draft that will feature Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns. While the Lakers will likely have the fourth worst record when the season ends, the NBA lottery will determine if the franchise keeps this year’s pick or if it goes to the Philadelphia 76ers.
[divide]Jordan Clarkson Learns From Going Up Against Chris Paul, ‘Good Test’