Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: Jordan Hill Likely to Become NBA Free Agent, Robert Sacre Could Be Traded
The Los Angeles Lakers may have had a disappointing season in which they set a new franchise record for most losses (61) in a single season, but the future appears to be bright.
The Lakers were the big winners on NBA Draft lottery night because they moved up and were granted the No. 2 overall draft selection. The Minnesota Timberwolves will have the No. 1 overall pick, as they did have the worst record in the league this year. The NBA Draft will take place on June 25.
As for the Lakers, their frontcourt is in rebuilding mode.
With the No. 2 overall pick, most NBA experts believe the Lakers to draft either 6-foot-10 Jahlil Okafor out of Duke or 6-foot-11 Karl-Anthony Towns from Kentucky. The Lakers selection will obviously depend on who the Timberwolves decide to pick at No. 1. However, one thing is for sure, the Lakers current frontcourt roster will be changed.
According to multiple reports, the Lakers having the No. 2 overall draft pick could most likely be the end for one Jordan Hill.
Hill, who previously played for the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets, has a team option in his contract this summer. If the Lakers decide to keep Hill for next season, it will cost the team $9 million.
Hill is just 27 years old, and he did play in 70 games last season for the Lakers. Hill led the Lakers in rebounds per game (7.9) last season, and he doesn't turn the ball over very often. However, popular belief around the league is that the Lakers will indeed not bring Hill back for next season and save $9 million. As good of a teammate as Hill is, and as valuable off the bench as he can be, the Lakers have to go in a different direction when it comes to their big men.
With Hill most likely on his way out, the Lakers are starting to save an outstanding amount of salary cap space. Point guard Jeremy Lin can still re-sign with the team, but it certainly won't be for more than $10 million like we saw before. Veteran point guard Steve Nash recently retired thus saving the Lakers a lot of money as well. Future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant also has an expiring contract next season which will save the Lakers $25 million.
Another big man the Lakers have to make a decision on is Robert Sacre. Sacre is an interesting player. He is currently the tallest player on the Lakers roster standing seven feet tall. Sacre has just one year remaining on his contract in which he is scheduled to make just over $981,000. That's not a big cap hit at all, but the Lakers could get value for Sacre.
Multiple NBA reports have indicated that trading Sacre could be the best option for the Lakers. Despite taking up under $1 million, Sacre does have trade value and he's just 25 years old. Sacre takes up space, and he's a pretty versatile player. But, most importantly, Sacre and head coach Byron Scott haven't exactly seen eye-to-eye with one another. Sacre was involved in trade rumors with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season.
Keeping Sacre as a full time bench player wouldn't be problematic, but he could very well leave in free agency after next season as well.
Landing soon to be free agent DeAndre Jordan and grabbing a big man with the No. 2 overall pick would be the ultimate offseason achievement for the Lakers.
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