NBA Free Agency 2014: Lakers Want LeBron, Carmelo To Form Super Team with Kobe, Source Says
The Lakers will go after both LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony in 2014 and are not eliminating the possibility of landing both players to form an unprecedented triple threat with Kobe Bryant.
ESPN learned from sources in the Lakers' front office that the franchise is pondering whether it could acquire the Knicks' Anthony and the Heat's James when the superstars potentially become free agents at the end of the next NBA season. Los Angeles' executives are split over the feasibility of landing either player, but nonetheless, the team is preparing to take their best shot at both players in the hopes of signing at least one.
If the Lakers are able to sign both superstars, however, and feature a starting five that include James, Anthony and Bryant, Los Angeles will have arguably one of the best teams in NBA history.
From a financial standpoint, the Lakers will have the cap room at the end of next season for two max deals, granted Bryant takes a pay cut. The Lakers shooting guard will earn a league-leading $30.5 million salary in the 2013-2014 season. If Bryant is willing to play for about half that amount in the 2014-2015 season, signing two top-tier players is a possibility for the Lakers. The 34-year-old has already hinted that he may be willing to play for less money.
"As a businessman the goal is always to not take a pay cut," Bryant told ESPN last week. "But ..."
Finances aside, could a team with Bryant, Anthony and James form a winning formula? Recent history says it can. Both Anthony and James have had success playing at the power forward position for their respective teams. In a league where small ball is the new paradigm for success, a Lakers squad boasting two of the best forwards in the game could be devastating to the competition.
Chances are Bryant will be open to taking a back seat to James and Anthony at that point in his career, in exchange for a chance at a Michael Jordan-matching sixth ring.
Anthony will probably be searching for his first title at the end of next season, unless the Knicks overachieve beyond everyone's expectations, and therefore will be an easier target than James, who could be coming off a potential three-peat in Miami.
"It's all wishful thinking at this point," a league source told ESPN. "Teams are doing more wishing than LeBron is wanting right now."
Still, it wouldn't be the first time the Lakers have surprised the masses with an acquisition many could never fathom.
