The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to make a run for incoming free agent and Memphis Grizzlies big man Marc Gasol, whom head coach Byron Scott considers as the best center in the NBA right now.
The Lakers, who will have around $35 million in cap space to spend, have already listed Gasol as one of several free-agent targets for the summer of 2015.
Gasol, the brother of former purple-and-gold forward Pau Gasol, is currently having a monster season so far, as he's averaging 19.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. The Grizzlies center is also shooting 50 percent from the field and a staggering 84 percent from the free-throw line.
The league-leading Grizzlies have already defeated the Lakers twice, and Gasol emerged as the best player in both occasions. Scott, who teamed up with perhaps the best center in the history of the league in Karee Abdul-Jabbar during the Lakers' showtime era, did not mince words in calling Gasol the best right now in his position.
"Definitely the best center in basketball and to me it's not even close," Scott told reporters following the Lakers' 99-93 loss at the hands of the Grizzlies.
Aside from Gasol, the Lakers will also try to knock on the doors of other soon-to-be free-agents LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers, Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics, and Goran Dragic of the Phoenix Suns.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have also discussed a possible reunion with small forward Earl Clark. Clark played one full season with the Lakers after he was acquired in a blockbuster trade that includes Dwight Howard, who is now playing for the Houston Rockets. In his short stint with the purple-and-gold, Clark produced a breakout season as he averaged 7.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
His strong performance with the Lakers secured him a multi-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he just spent barely half of last season with the Cavs and then opted a couple of 10-day contract with the New York Knicks.
