The Los Angeles Lakers will not be playing in the postseason for the third consecutive season.

Much of the reason for the Lakers poor season has been because of bad defense and injuries.

Fortunately for the Lakers, their salary cap space will expanding largely next season and extraordinarily the following year. Like every other great franchise, the Lakers have had their dull moments, (like the Yankees and Packers during the 1980s) but they always reload strong. The next two offseasons are expected to be extremely big for the Lakers.

Without a doubt, the best big man entering free agency is Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, arguably the best center in the game today with valuable rebounding, passing and blocking skills. Gasol presently has the Grizzlies in second place in the Western Conference behind only the Golden State Warriors. Gasol recently said he hasn't ruled out the New York Knicks as a possible destination for next season.

The Lakers should absolutely make a run at the 30-year-old Gasol. What makes this possible relationship interesting is the fact that the Lakers already benefited from his older brother, Pau Gasol. Pau also previously played with Grizzlies before helping the Lakers win two NBA Championships.

Jordan Hill leads the Lakers in rebounds this season averaging eight per game, but he has a team option for next season. If Los Angeles want to bring Hill back next year, it will cost them $9 million in salary cap hits. Is Hill worth a $9 million cap hit? Maybe, maybe not. Ed Davis, who ranks second on the Lakers in rebounds per game with 7.5, has a player option next year. If Davis chooses to return to the Lakers next year he will make just $1.1 million. Odds are he will test the open market and go elsewhere.

On top of that, Robert Sacre has just one year remaining on his contract, and Carlos Boozer is set to become a free agent. There's a chance that the top three rebounders on the Lakers will not be back with the team next season.

Gasol has been nothing short of fantastic with the Grizzlies, but he knows he can make far more money and get a lot more notoriety off the court in Los Angeles. Memphis isn't exactly the basketball media capital of the United States. This season is a perfect example. As good as Gasol is playing this year, he isn't getting any MVP consideration. If he played in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia or Los Angeles, he would be in the running for the award.

If the Lakers can't get Gasol, they do have a lot big man free agency options this upcoming offseason. Tyson Chandler, Amar'e Stoudemire, DeAndre Jordan, Tim Duncan and LaMarcus Aldridge all have expiring contracts. Obviously Duncan would never play for anybody else but the San Antonio Spurs, but a call to his agent couldn't hurt.

The Lakers also have to make a decision with Jeremy Lin. The 26-year-old point guard is in the final year of his contract, and that expiring deal will save the team a lot of money going forward. Lin obviously isn't the second coming of Magic Johnson, but re-signing him to a new, short-term contract could be beneficial. Lin knows the system, and he does lead the Lakers in total assist this season.

Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter

FOR MORE SPORTS NEWS AND UPDATES, CLICK ON THIS LINK TO VISIT LATIN POST.COM'S SPORTS PAGE