However, should LeBron James opt out of his Heat contract, they could reconsider.
The Los Angeles Lakers will reportedly wait until 2015 before attacking the free agency market to acquire new talent for an NBA championship push.
Essentially, the decision ultimately revolves around veteran point guard Steve Nash and his future with the franchise, as the Lakers could use the stretch provision which would spread the money they owe him over the next three years in order to save on cap space this summer.
However, if they want to wait until 2015, then they will keep Nash next season for the final year of his contract and then allow him to leave in order to enter the free agency market that summer.
Ultimately, it is more likely that they will wait for the likes of Kevin Love, LeMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo and Marc Gasol to become available in 2015, although according to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report, that would all change if LeBron James opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat at the end of the season.
“And the fact is, as of this time, that Nash will get one last chance to play next season with the Lakers, who are not planning a free-agent spending spree this summer and are therefore thinking it does not make sense to use the stretch provision to waive Nash.
“Everything goes out the window if LeBron James opts out of his Heat contract and is interested in the Lakers this summer, but otherwise the Lakers plan to piece a roster together again next season around Kobe Bryant and save their cap space for 2015 free agents such as Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo, Marc Gasol and maybe James.”
While James would appear to be more of a dream as opposed to a realistic option given that he is widely expected to re-sign with the Miami Heat, it does suggest that there will be no interest from L.A. in New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony.
However, many will argue that the Lakers are making the right move if the report is true, as the 2015 class of free agents undoubtedly offers more ‘difference-makers’ as opposed to the options that could be available this summer.
It would be a difficult period for the Lakers to go through next season, but with Bryant still contracted through to play in the 2015/16 campaign, he will potentially have a franchise player or two playing alongside him.
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