The NBA Draft is scheduled for Thursday, June 25, at the Barclays Center in New York. As the world wonders what teams will get what players, it is also time to examine the latest in NBA Trade Rumors, specifically the ones about the Los Angeles Lakers.
The LA Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak joined the Chris Mannix Show on NBC Sports radio with much to say about the No.2 pick. Apparently, the Lakers have received calls from many teams interested in trading into the top-two of the draft, but there is no sign of any talks being serious as yet. Kupchak stated that Mannix would have to offer something "very substantial" and would entertain the right deal if it comes along. In other words, there will be phone calls made, but they just need to be the right phone calls.
The one name that keeps coming up when it comes to new LA Lakers is Jahlil Okafor, and according to Bleacher Report, he is "primed for the L.A. spotlight, having won at every level of basketball he's played dating back to his youth". There is also rumors surrounding Latvian forward Kristaps Prozingis, who came in for a private workout in Los Angeles. There is also rumors of Ohio State guard D'Angelo Russell and Emmanuel Mudiay.
Then there are always the Dwyane Wade rumors. With the player possibly hitting the free agent market with an opt out of his contract with the Miami Heat, it seems like not only do the L.A. Lakers want him, but the Chicago Bulls, NY Knicks, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Spots World Report.
The one name that the L.A. Lakers look like they are pursuing as a free agent this summer is Jimmy Butler, but the Chicago Bulls could give him a better offer. Butler was expected to stay with the Bulls, but after he becomes a free agent, a new deal could raise his salary cap. If that doesn't work, then next on the market will be players like Gordon Dragic, Greg Monroe, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Rajon Rondo (a player that everyone seems to want).
From what it seems, Monroe is a big target for the Knicks, but there is also an option for the Lakers not to mention a max contract from NY or Boston. It seems like Dragic will likely be remaining in Miami, and he certainly has a lot of value as a point guard. As for Rondo, he is interested in signing, as it doesn't sound like he'll be headed back to Dallas.
So it is possible that Wade is coming to the L.A. Lakers, as well as Monroe, Dragic, Aldridge, and Rondo. A recent interview with Mitch Kupchak revealed that some serious deals are going on with new players. We'll have to see how that deal goes with the draft.
