Photo Credit: USA Today Sports/Daniel Shirey
The Los Angeles Lakers received the second overall pick last week after an awful 21 win season. General Manager Mitch Kupchak knows to get things back on track he will have to not only make a big splash in the draft, but in free agency as well. Besides making Rajon Rondo option #1 in free agency The Lakers are reportedly very interested in Atlanta Hawks small forward DeMarre Carroll.
Carroll averaged a career high 12 points and 5 rebounds this season, and improved his defensive game as well. At the age of 28 this will be his only big contract left more than likely, and Carroll could bolt for money.
“With his defense and versatility, one league exec estimated his next deal at more than $15 million per year. The Lakers, a source said, have big-time interest in Carroll.”
“There’s a long list of teams already prepared to pursue Carroll this summer, including the Celtics, Lakers and Pistons.” -Sean Deveney of Sporting News
If The Lakers get Rondo and Carroll in free agency that’ll improve the team’s defense that ranked 29th in defense last season, but does not add a scoring option after Kobe Bryant the next big scoring threat is Nick Young.
If the Lakers want to improve they’ll need to add a lot of talent in the off-season and fast as the clock is ticking for Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers were a mess salary cap wise and Kupchak had to gut the team of unwanted contracts and aging players.
Right now Carroll is playing with an injured knee which is a odd move going into the biggest free agency of his career.
Hopefully the Lakers don’t try to rebuild on the fly with guys like Rondo and Carroll that could backfire on them big time. Carroll is a nice player, but the money he will command in free agency may not be worth it towards the end of that contract and you’re in the same situation that you are in now.
Much like Rondo I think the Lakers have interest in Carroll, but at the right price.
