Los Angeles Lakers Rumors Archive

Los Angeles Lakers new archive, with date and brief news

This is the Lakers rumor archive, please be aware that these are just rumors and many of them won't reach reality. To see what really happened you can review the Lakers roster and the Lakers news archive.

LA Lakers Rumors Archive

2015 Rumors:

July 1: The Lakers didn't exercised their team option on Jordan Hill's contract, which gives them a $23 million in spending power in free agency. If they don't get the star they want they can still try to bring Hill back as a free agent.

June 29: The Lakers plans for the future are clear. They want to aquire a big man vie fre agency. There are many options available but their main goal is LaMarcus Aldridge who in not completly happy in Portland. DeAndre Jordan (Clippers) and Kevin Love (Cavs) are next and the other possibilities include Marc Gasol (Grizzlies), Paul Millsap (Hawks), Greg Monroe (Pistons), Brook Lopez (Nets), Robin Lopez (Blazers), Tyson Chandler ( Mavericks), Omer Asik (Pelicans) and Brandan Wright (Suns).

June 27: Previous to the Draft the Lakers had discussions with the Kings about a trade that could land them All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins but Sacramento wanted assets that included the Lakers’ No. 2 pick, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson..

2014 Rumors:

October 6: With the addition of Ronnie Price and Wayne Ellington the Lakers have 15 players on their roster, the maximum allowed for the season, meaning that the four additional players they took to training camp -Keith Appling, Jeremy Tyler, Roscoe Smith and Jabari Brown-- have little to no chance to make the Lakers 2014-15 roster.

October 1: Since they couldn't get LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony or Kevin Love the Lakers long time plans include getting LaMarcus Aldridge in 2015 or Kevin Durant in the free agency of 2016

September 3: The Lakers brought in free agent Michael Beasley for his second individual workout. Although by signing Jordan Clarkson, the team reached the minimum of 13 players required by NBA rules, they can bring up to 20 players to training camp, and then narrow that list down to a maximum of 15 for their season opener on Oct. 28. They also have hosted workouts for other players, including centers Dexter Pittman, Greg Stiemsma and Daniel Orton, and guards Bobby Brown, Ben Hansbrough, Toney Douglas and Malcolm Lee.

July 25: The Lakers have offered Byron Scott the head-coaching job. Contract negotiations have started and an agreement could be reached soon.

July 23: the Lakers already have 13 players (including draft pick Jordan Clarkson), reaching the minimum required by NBA rules and are expected to stay that way, without making use of the 2 spots still available on their roster.

July 17: the Lakers interviewed Byron Scott for the third time, but they didn't offer him the job yet. The team has contacted six coaches so far -- Mike Dunleavy, Kurt Rambis, Alvin Gentry, Lionel Hollins, George Karl and Scott. Of those, Gentry, Hollins and Rambis have already been hired by other teams.

July 12: With LeBron James out of the free agency picture and Carmelo Anthony not considering them an option anymore, the Lakers started their short-term rebuilding process that includes (again) getting short term contracts like Jeremy Lin's and hoping for the best in the future, with the best scenarios including getting Kevin Love or LaMarcus Aldridge in 2015 or Kevin Durant in the free agency of 2016.

July 11: Reports say Pau Gasol turned down the Lakers two-year, $10M-plus per deal while considering joining a title contender like the Spurs or Bulls. It could also include a sign-and-trade involving the Lakers

Jun 5: The Lakers have already met with 5 coaches that are candidates to lead the team in the 2014-15 NBA Season. Three of them have a history with the franchise: Byron Scott, Kurt Rambis and Mike Dunleavy. The other two are experienced head-coaches: Lionel Hollins and Alvin Gentry. The Lakers are also expected to talk with soon-to-be former player Derek Fisher who is also being tempted by Phil Jackson to coach the Knicks.

July 4: The Lakers had a 2 1/2-hour meeting with Carmelo Anthony but in the same day he also met with the Knicks, his current team, which can offer him more money and years than everybody else ($129.1 million over five years against $95.9 million over 4). It seems that Anthony liked the Lakers idea of playing with Pau Gasol because rumors say he wants the Knicks to get the Lakers free agent, who despite having to accept a big pay cut would be joining forces with former championship teammate and current Knicks coach Derek Fisher and with his Spain National Team teammate Jose Calderon..

Mitch Kupchak will meet with LeBron James' agent ant try to impress him to get a meeting with LeBron himself, but it seems very unlikely that he joins a team that only has a couple of players and no coach.

July 3: The Lakers are expected to meet unrestricted free agent Carmelo Anthony and offer him to be the franchise face in the future. Anthony has already met the Bulls and Rockets who have teams ready to compete for a championship, but the Lakers plan to build around him and that could mean waiving Steve Nash --spreading his salary over three years-- and offer Pau Gasol $8 million or $9 million to return next season...

May 1: The Lakers need a coach and the list of candidates include George Karl, Jeff Van Gundy, former Lakers Kurt Rambis and Byron Scott, European legend Ettore Messina, college coaches like John Calipari and Kevin Ollie, and some even mention Chicago's Tom Thibodeau and Derek Fisher. The team will take its time to hire the new coach

February 21: Another trade deadline passed and Pau Gasol is still with the team. The Lakers built a trade with the Suns but since Pau didn't committed to stay in Phoenix beyond July, it didn't work. Anyway, the rebuilding process has already started with Steve Blake's trade, which means the Lakers decided to tank their season to get the best draft pick possible in 2014

February 3: The Lakers have been trying to trade Gasol for years. This time it could finally happen. They are talking with the Phoenix Suns about trading Pau Gasol for Emeka Okafor and a first round pick. Both Gasol and Okafor are in the final year of their contracts. Okafor, 31, hasn't played this season so far with a neck injury and might no play at all. He's making $14.5 million and has an insurance clause that could cover about $5 million.

January 7: Although the Cavs finally traded Andrew Bynum to Chicago for Luol Deng it is very clear that the Lakers intention is to tank the 2013-14 season and at some point before the Feb. 20 trade deadline they could trade their current best player Pau Gasol and his expiring $19.3 million contract. Waiving Shawne Williams seems to be a move to open up a roster spot to have flexibility if a trade happens.

January 3: Everybody can see that this is a lost season for the Lakers but the team is trying to make it official by trading Pau Gasol for Andrew Bynum. Of course the Lakers would immediately waive Bynum who after being traded from L.A. was only a problem in Philadelphia and is currently suspended by the Cavaliers. This way the Lakers would save almost $20 million in luxury taxes.

2013 Rumors:

December 16: After Dec. 15 all the free agents signed during the off-season can be traded and that includes Chris Kaman, Nick Young, Jordan Farmar, Wesley Johnson, Shawne Williams, Robert Sacre and Xavier Henry. In fact now the Lakers can trade any player they wish before the league's trade deadline of Feb. 20 with the only exception of Kobe Bryant who has a non-trade clause. Also Kobe, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash and Nick Young have salary bonuses -- or trade kickers -- if they are traded.

November 26: The Lakers signed Kobe Bryant to a two-year $48.5-million contract extension which means they won't have enough room for two max contracts this summer when players like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Luol Deng, Zach Randolph, Rudy Gay, Dirk Nowitzki and Greg Monroe could became free agents. Anyway Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James are really not likely to leave their current teams and join the Lakers so L.A. could also try to retain Pau Gasol if he accept a significant pay-cut.

October 29: Immediately after Shannon Brown was waived by the Wizards just before the start of the 2013-14 season, everybody though about him returning to the L.A., where he was a contributor in two championship rosters. If he clears waivers and becomes a free agent, all the Lakers could offer him is a minimum contract of $1.2 million. Reality shows that although he would be an excellent fit to the Lakers current style of basketball, the team has many players that can play in his position --including Kobe Bryant once he returns, Jodie Meeks, Steve Blake, Nick Young, Wesley Johnson and Xavier Henry-- and also having a roster of 15 players, the maximum allowed by the NBA, they would have to cut one of them.

October 17: The Lakers waived Darius Johnson-Odom and now have 16 players under contract, three of them --Ryan Kelly, Marcus Landry and Xavier Henry-- with non-guaranteed deals and an uncertain future with the team. Two players --Shawne Williams and Elias Harris-- have $100,000 of their contracts guaranteed. At least one of them will be waived to reduce the roster to 15 players, the maximum allowed by the league and the Lakers could cut up to 3 of them if they wanted

September 28: After signing Dan Gadzuric, Eric Boateng and Darius Johnson-Odom the Lakers have 19 players under contract (including second-round pick Ryan Kelly) to face training camp. Eight of them carry non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed deals. Before the start of the 2014 NBA Season the team will have to trim the roster down to the maximum of 15 players allowed by the league.

August 14: undrafted forward Nick Minnerath, who played 5 games for the Kings summer league roster (5.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, 43.5% shooting), will be invited to the Lakers training camp. The Lakers currently have just 11 players under contract but are expected to sign second-round draft pick Ryan Kelly and Elias Harris.

August 2: The Lakers are close to signing Marcus Landry who played for them in the summer league, where he averaged 15.2 points while shooting 42.1% from the field and 37.1% from behind the arc.

July 22: Elias Harris, the undrafted forward from Gonzaga, scored 17 points in the Lakers' final summer-league game and is a viable option to fill a roster spot. In 5 games he showed he has potential to play in Mike D’Antoni’s system, averaging 10.2 points on 44.7% shooting from the field and 5.6 rebounds

July 18: the Lakers are expected to sign Ryan Kelly, their second-round draft pick. With him and their latest addition Jordan Farmar, the team's salary would be at $76,927,736, with about $7.8 million in luxury tax and they would still need to add at least one player to reach the NBA's roster minimum of 13. The Lakers are limited to minimum contracts to sign free agents. James Johnson, free agent from Sacramento and Austin Daye from Memphis are some of the names mentioned. Also any player from their summer league team (Marcus Landry, Chris Douglas-Roberts among others) could make the 2013-14 final roster.

July 16: With Jordan Farmar and draft pick Ryan Kelly, the team salary would be at $76,927,736, with about $7.8 million in luxury tax. The Lakers would still need to add at least one player to reach the NBA's roster minimum of 13.

July 16: Mike D'Antoni wants to add Kurt Rambis and Johnny Davis to his coaching staff. Rambis played for the Lakers for 9 seasons and was an assistant coach between 1999 and 2009 when he left to become Minnesota Timberwolves head coach. He was fired after 2 seasons in Minnesota and has since worked as an analyst for ESPN. He won 4 championships as a player in the Showtime era and another for as Phil Jackson's assistant.

July 12: The team is trying to sign point guard and former Laker Jordan Farmar. It is a complicated deal that must include a buyout from a pro team in Turkey.

July 9: The Lakers are going to amnesty Metta World Peace. The team's one-time amnesty to cut a player can only be used on Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Steve Blake or World Peace and has to be used between July 10 and July 16 or it will expire. The move will save the Lakers a lot of money on taxes but also will leave them very needed in the small forward position.

July 8: The Lakers plan to make a full rebuild in 2014 when big names like Carmelo Anthony, John Wall, Paul George and even LeBron James could be available via agency. James is the less likely to come due to the big success he's getting in Miami but getting Carmelo Anthony, a good friend of Kobe's, is not a crazy idea

July 5: Currently everybody believes that if the Lakers can't resign Dwight Howard they won't make any sign-and-trade deal for him and save the cap space for 2014 when big names like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, John Wall and Paul George could be available via agency, but some rumors are saying the Lakers would at least consider a trade for Andrew Bogut if the Warriors also include in the package promising young players like Harrison Barnes or Klay Thompson.

June 25: The Lakers want to keep Dwight Howard and they even unveil billboards with the word "STAY" on it but there are rumors everywhere about a trade that could send Howard --who wants to play with Chris Paul-- to the Clippers in exchange for Blake Griffin and point guard Eric Bledsoe.

July 2: Rumors say that so far the Rockets are the only team with real chances of landing Dwight Howard who has also met with the Warriors and Hawks. The Warriors could only get him via a sign-and-trade deal that would include Andrew Bogut but that doesn't sound interesting for the Lakers since it wouldn't include sharpshooter Stephen Curry who is involved in the Warriors' recruitment of Howard

June 27: The Lakers have been told they'll be the final team to meet with Dwight Howard once the free agency period begins on July 1st. The star center how has a well documented history of changing his mind will meet first at least with Atlanta, Houston, Dallas and Golden State.

June 25: The Lakers want to keep Dwight Howard and they even unveil billboards with the word "STAY" on it but there are rumors everywhere about a trade that could send Howard --who wants to play with Chris Paul-- to the Clippers in exchange for Blake Griffin and point guard Eric Bledsoe.

This sign-and-trade situation would be good for the Lakers since they would be landing two of the most athletic players in the NBA, players that fit D'Antoni's system and at the same time they would be getting rid of Howard, a mind-changing diva that really don't want to play for them..

On the other hand, some say the Lakers wouldn't be too convinced about making a sign-and-trade deal and instead, if they can't retain Howard and he leaves as a free agent, they'd be happy with the cap flexibility and luxury tax savings that would allow them to be in the market in 2014 when LeBron James could opt out of his contract. Of course this a long shot due to James success with the Heat in the last 3 years. .

June 1: It's well known by now that Dwight Howard wants to explore free agency and despite the fact that Lakers can offer him more money than any other team, latest rumors had Howard going to the Houston Rockets. ESPN's Marc Stein reported that the Rockets received "hopeful signals that Howard is seriously considering a jump from the Lakers to the Rockets after becoming a free agent July 1"

Apr 26: Will Phil Jackson be the Lakers coach in 2013-14? Rumors are flying everywhere. Mike D'Antoni's experiment is not working, the Lakers are about to be kicked out of the Playoffs by the Spurs and Phil Jackson wants to coach again. And to make things worse for L.A.'s current coach, his predecessor Mike Brown is back with the Cavaliers so the Lakers don't have to pay him all the money they owe him. But it's not so easy... Firing D'Antoni and hiring Jackson back would be a big, big hit to Jim Buss' ego who chose D'Antoni and left Jackson waiting for an answer not so long ago. On the other hand, Dwight Howard who the Lakers want to be their future, will be a free agent soon and although the Lakers can offer him more money than everybody else, this season under D'Antoni has been close to a nightmare. Phil Jackson could be the needed incentive for him to stay.

Feb 20: Despite all the trade rumors talking about Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol --and those rumors include Josh Smith, Andrea Bargnani and even Rajon Rondo-- the truth is the Lakers will keep their big men. GM Mitch Kupchak told Howard he won't trade him and injured Pau Gasol is very unlikely to be coveted by other teams in his current situation.

Feb 1: The Lakers really have to think what they are going to do before Feb. 21, the trade deadline, since the team loses more than it wins, Dwight Howard, the future of the franchise could be gone when the season ends and Pau Gasol is understandable not happy with his new role of 6th man. Gasol is the player more likely to be traded since he has been at the top of the players-to-trade list for more than a year and has value to get some pieces in return that fit D'Antoni's system better than he does. Boston, Memphis, Minnesota, Toronto have been mentioned but nothing concrete so far.

Jan 22: The Lakers new system is clearly not working and that basically means it will be hard to retain Dwight Howard at the end of the season so rumors started to fly about possible trades involving him. One possibility includes the Brooklyn Nets, the team Howard wanted to go in the first place.

2012 Rumors:

Dec 7: the Lakers turned down trade offers for Pau Gasol from Toronto and Minnesota. Players named as available included Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon and Linas Kleiza from the Raptors and 2011's No. 2 overall pick Derrick Williams and center Nikola Pekovic from the Timberwolves. But the Lakers are willing to wait and see how Pau can fit in D'Antoni's running system when Steve Nash returns. Other reports indicate that before signing for L.A. Nash requested that Gasol was a part of the team.

Nov 24: Once again the Lakers are interested in guard Raja Bell, currently under contract but not included in Utah's roster. He's a good defender and had his best years playing for D'Antoni with the Suns but he's also 36 years old and L.A. will surely had to part with young players like Meeks, Clark or Johnson-Odom to get him.

Nov 14: new coach Mike D'Antoni suggested that other than his brother Dan, the current assistant staff should remain intact. Nate McMillan, who was one of the candidates to replace Brown might still arrive next season as an assistant for D'Antoni and be in charge of the team's defensive strategies.

Nov 13: The Lakers front office really didn't wanted Phil Jackson, they just offered him the job because it would have been absurd not to do it. Rumors said he asked to much --greater personnel control, a relaxed travel schedule and even a stake in team ownership-- but apparently that was not the case, he just asked for a couple of days to think about it and the Lakers used it as an excuse to go for D'Antoni and his more entertaining system.

Nov 13: Nate McMillan, who was one of the candidates to replace Brown might still arrive as an assistant for D'Antoni and be in charge of the team's defensive strategies.

Nov 12: The Lakers front office really didn't wanted Phil Jackson, they just offered him the job because it would have been absurd not to do it. Rumors said he asked to much --greater personnel control, a relaxed travel schedule and even a stake in team ownership-- but apparently that was not the case, he just asked for a couple of days to think about it and the Lakers used it as an excuse to go for D'Antoni and his more entertaining system.

Nov 12: Phil Jackson wasn't hired because he wanted too much, and that includes greater personnel control, a relaxed travel schedule and some say a stake in team ownership.

Nov 10: The Lakers met with Phil Jackson on Saturday to offer him the job and are 95% sure he will be their next coach. Jackson has already called some of his formers assistants about joining the coaching staff. Other candidates to replace Brown include Mike D'Antoni, Jerry Sloan, Nate McMillan and Brian Shaw.

Nov 9: Top candidates to replace coach Mike Brown are Phil Jackson who is currently retired but is also open to the idea of coaching again, Jerry Sloan, who coached the Jazz for 34 years, Mike D'Antoni, who coached Steve Nash in Phoenix and Nate McMillan. Jackson would be the ideal coach for this Laker team because he has what Mike Brown didn't, an unbelievable ability to handle star players and big egos.

Nov 8: the Lakers started the season 1-4 which means that they are 1-12 including preseason games and names to replace coach Mike Brown are already being mentioned, Jerry Sloan and Mike D’Antoni among them. The Lakers keep saying they trust Brown will revert the situation.

Oct 10: despite the fact that the earliest he could re-join the team is March 15, 2013, Derek Fisher is mentioned as a possibility to be Steve Nash's backup. It seems that the Lakers are willing to make a trade for Chris Duhon or Steve Blake if necessary.

Aug 10: rumors say that Pau Gasol was originally included in the Dwight Howard / Andrew Bynum trade.

July 21: another round of rumors from the ever mind-changing Dwight Howard says that he won't sign a long-term deal with anybody, and that includes L.A.

July 19: according to reports, the Lakers, Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers are discussing a 3-team trade that would send Howard to the Lakers, Andrew Bynum to the Cavaliers, while the Magic would receive a player (Anderson Varejao) and multiple draft picks. Also it's said that Howard would be changing his mind and would be willing to sign a long term deal with L.A.

July 11: the Lakers are back in the mix of teams with chances to get the most wanted player, Dwight Howard. They are talking with Houston who would take Andrew Bynum and would send Orlando draft picks and other assets. The Lakers would also have to accept Jason Richardson or Hedo Turkoglu and their inflated contracts.

July 5: the first thing Steve Nash did after becoming a Laker was recommending former Suns teammate Grant Hill, who can still play despite being 39 years old. He's a free agent who would bring his experience and high basketball IQs.

July 4: the Lakers are talking with the Orlando Magic about a possible trade involving Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum. But the Nets and the Rockets also want Howard and the center's preferred destination is Brooklyn. Steve Nash, currently a free agent, is the other name the Lakers are interested in, despite the fact that they can only offer him a very low contract or try to get a sign-and-trade deal with the Suns to make it happen.

June 28: the Atlanta Hawks are offering Josh Smith in exchange for Pau Gasol. Smith is younger and more athletic, but he is clearly not as good a player as Pau. The Lakers haven't accepted (yet) and are trying to trade the Spaniard for a very high pick in the 2012 Draft. Other way they won't have a pick in the first round for the fifth year in a row.

June 20: Ramon Sessions decided to test free agency, leaving the Lakers with just Steve Blake to play point guard. Free-agents that will be available to replace Session if he doesn't return include Kirk Hinrich, Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton.

June 15: A trade possibility being mentioned is Pau Gasol to Houston for Kyle Lowry and Louis Scola. Houston had a lot interest in Gasol in 2012 while Lowry and Scola are good players that fill the holes in the point guard and power forward positions.

June 4: The Lakers postseason ended (badly) for the Lakers and the rumors started to fly. It's no secret the Lakers will consider any trade involving Pau Gasol and his 3-years, $60-million contract, but rumors say they would be more than happy with a sign-and-trade deal with the brand new Brooklyn Nets for the Deron Williams who will leave as free agent if the Nets do nothing with him. Also the Lakers are going again for Michael Beasley who would give them some much needed scoring from the bench.

March 15: After weeks of speculation the trade deadlne passed and found the Lakers without Dwight Howard who opted to stay in Orlando. and without... Derek Fisher. The Lakers did acquired a good point guard in Ramon Sessions, but they also surprised everybody by trading Fisher to the Rockets. Although the team clearly improved their backcourt, it was a shock to see one of its leaders and more representative players end his Laker career this way... Rumors said that the Lakers instead of sending him to the Rockets wanted to trade him to the Timberwolves who needed help after the injury of Ricky Rubio, in exchange for Michael Beasley but the trade that was ready to go was blocked by T-Wolves owner Glen Taylor.

March 1: The Lakers are weak at the point guard position and rumors mention names like Kirk Hinrich and Raymond Felton / Feb 29: The Timberwolves wanted to trade small forward Michael Beasley for a first-round draft pick, but the Lakers rejected the offer to avoid paying more luxury taxes. / Feb 8: Mitch Kupchak mentioned he would like to have Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo and the Celtics say they like Pau Gasol...

Feb 2: Ramon Sessions is a trade target of several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers. Sessions, who is young point guard currently eclipsed by the Cavs rookie sensation Kyrie Irving, has an opt-out in his contract at the end of the season and Cleveland is willing to trade him. Gilbert Arenas is also in the Lakers short list of players who could help in the backcourt.

Jan 18: The Lakers hopes to get big man Kevin Love ended when he signed a contract extension with the Timberwolves. / Jan 6: The Warriors are the new team interested in Dwight Howard, even if he doesn't sign an extension with them. Howard has already said that he will only sign a contract extension with the Lakers, Mavericks and Nets./ Dec 17: With Dwight Howard out of the market (according to his team, the Orlando Magic) the Lakers will have to wait to try to make a deal for him. It could happen during the season and it should involve Andrew Bynum and maybe Pau Gasol.

Jan 12: The Lakers would be willing to trade Pau Gasol for Minnesota's young star Kevin Love. The New York Post reported that the Lakers offered Gasol to Minnesota when the Chris Paul trade fell through and despite the negative answer then the T-Wolves would be open to hear offers since Love, a restricted free agent when the season ends, has shown no interest in making a long term commitment with them. Such a trade would put Gasol on the same team with his Spanish teammate Ricky Rubio.

Jan 6: The Warriors are the new team interested in Dwight Howard, even if he doesn't sign an extension with them. Howard has already said that he will only sign a contract extension with the Lakers, Mavericks and Nets./ Dec 17: With Dwight Howard out of the market (according to his team, the Orlando Magic) the Lakers will have to wait to try to make a deal for him. It could happen during the season and it should involve Andrew Bynum and maybe Pau Gasol

2011 Rumors:

Dec 17: Rumors say the Lakers might be considering signing veteran guard Baron Davis who is a free agent after being amnestied by the Cavaliers last week. Davis is an excellent player but currently has back problems and the Lakers could only offer him the veteran's minimum of $1.4 million. With Dwight Howard out of the market (according to his team, the Orlando Magic) the Lakers will have to wait to try to make a deal for him. It could happen during the season and it should involve Andrew Bynum and maybe Pau Gasol

Dec 14: Lakers are again calling the Hornets about Chris Paul and still trying to get Dwight Howard.../ Dec 8: reports say the Lakers had conversations with the Hornets for Chris Paul and with the Magic for Dwight Howard. But none advanced much. The Lakers are ready to trade anybody not called Kobe Bryant and that includes Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol (yes, Pau Gasol) and his big contract. Both New Orleans and Orlando need to trade their stars, with the risk of losing them for nothing via free agency if they don't, but L.A. is not the only team ready to give everything to get them. Boston is offering Rajon Rondo in exchange for Chris Paul and other rumors talk about Clippers Blake Griffin being sent to Orlando...

June 22: The Lakers tried to trade Lamar Odom for Minnesota's No. 2 pick in the 2011 Draft but the conversations ended when the T-Wolves said they'd prefer Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol. /

Rumors talk about the Lakers having intentions to get point guard Raymond Felton from the Nuggets. Felton is coming off his best NBA season after averaging 15.5 points, 8.3 assists and 1.7 steals in 2010-11 while playing for New York and Denver. Of course his numbers are a little bit unreal after playing most of the season for Mike D'Antoni in NY but he's a good defender and made 45.9 of his 3-pointers in Denver. /

The rumors about a trade that would include Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic in exchange for Andrew Bynum and somebody else won't end any time soon so expect to hear about them all season long. But a big element to consider here is that Jerry Buss' son Jim is the one that is establishing who has the power in the organization and selecting Mike Brown without even mentioning it to Kobe Bryant was a big move in that direction. And Jim is also the one the picked Bynum and refused to get rid of him in the past when everybody was asking for a trade

May 26: rumors about the coach candidates (Shaw, Adelman, Dunleavy, Van Gundy) ended with the surprising hiring of Mike Brown. Soon the player movement will begin, and most rumors already point to a trade that would include Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic in exchange for Andrew Bynum and somebody else. But a big element to consider here is that Jerry Buss' son Jim is the one that is establishing who has the power in the organization and selecting Mike Brown without even mentioning it to Kobe Bryant was a big move in that direction. And Jim is also the one the picked Bynum and refused to get rid of him in the past when everybody was asking for a trade

2010 Rumors:

July 16: Derek Fisher will stay, Steve Blake is the new backup point guard and the Lakers wanted to bring Raja Bell to complete the backcourt but since Bell signed with Utah the Lakers are again trying to bring Shannon Brown back.

July 13: The Lakers most surely won't try to retain Shannon Brown and the names mentioned to fill out the backcourt spots are Raja Bell and Shaun Livingston.

Including Fisher the Lakers have 9 players under contract for a total payroll of $89.09 million, this is $18 million above the luxury-tax threshold and they still have to add at least four more players. Two of them could be draft picks small forward Devin Ebanks and power forward Derrick Caracter who would be very cheap with $473,604 rookie contracts and would replace free agents Mbenga, Powell and Morrison

July 1: The possible departure of free agents Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown (not to mention Derek Fisher) could leave a big hole in the Lakers backcourt and rumors say the Lakers have a list of names that include point guards Steve Blake, Luke Ridnour and Earl Watson. They earned between $4 and $6.5 million last season, salaries that the Lakers wouldn't come close to matching so a low-cost alternative might be Javaris Crittenton the same that was was drafted by the Lakers in 2007. Uptade: Lakers signed Steve Blake

If Mbenga, Powell and Morrison leave the Lakers will not heavily go after frontcourt players in free agency since they are optimistic about their draft picks, small forward Devin Ebanks and power forward Derrick Caracter who are also very cheap.

2009 Rumors:

July 31: The Lakers decided to bring Ron Artest, let Trevor Ariza go and after many comings and goings Odom agreed to stay, and basically all rumors are over. The only remaining issues are Kobe's contract extension and the team option on Sun Yue's final year of contract. Everybody believes that the Chinese player won't return and that now with Odom's situation resolved, Kobe will sign a three-year extension on top of his two remaining ye

July 23: The Los Angeles Lakers have restarted contract negotiations with free-agent forward Lamar Odom. According to sources the talks are productive but nothing is imminent. The Lakers are not believed to have improved the offers they retracted last week

July 15: Tired of waiting for an answer the Lakers decided to pull their offer to Lamar Odom. More than a week ago the team owner Jerry Buss offered him and his agent two deals of 4 years at $9 million a season for a total of $36 million or 3 years at $10 million for a total of $30 million, but they did not respond and his agent has been talking with the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat. Many believe that Odom wanted to accept Buss' offer but he has failed to convince his agent.

July 1: The Suns and Spurs are interested in trying to sign Odom. Detroit, Oklahoma City, Memphis, Atlanta, Toronto, Portland and Sacramento are the teams with sallary space to sign Odom or Ariza. If the Lakers are unable to sign both, they might go after Houston forward Ron Artest. /

It was though that after the 2009 playoffs the Lakers would have to decide between unrestricted free agents Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom. But both players were key parts of the Championship roster and Phil Jackson said it wasn't "written in stone" that one of them would leave..

The Lakers have already committed $75.9 million to 10 players for the 2009-10 season (including 23 million for Kobe) and Odom, who will be 30 in November and was paid $14.1 million this season, would have to take a significant pay cut to stay ($10 million?). Ariza, who will be 25 years old next season, made $3.1 million but his stellar performance will secure him more than the double of that at L.A. or somewhere else. If they sign both, the Lakers could be paying salaries for about 90 million, not to mention another $20 million in luxury taxes.

2008 Rumors:

FanIQ
Artest to act as his own agent, wants Lakers
Rotoworld.com - 8 hours ago
The Lakers don't appear to be jumping at the chance to trade Odom for Ron-Ron, but you never know. In any case, now that he's his own agent, ...
Jerry Buss And Lakers Owners Apparently Want Ron Artest FanIQ
Artest hopes for trade from Kings, will act as own agent - NBA ESPN
Bill Bill now pays himself 2-5% Los Angeles Times
Turiaf signs offer; will Lakers match?
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - Jul 10, 2008
Golden State officially put the Lakers on the clock Thursday by signing Ronny Turiaf, their restricted free agent forward, to an offer sheet worth $17 ...
Lakers' Ronny Turiaf is expected to sign Warriors' offer sheet Los Angeles Times
Warriors sign Maggette, then move toward Turiaf Boston Herald
NBA | Warriors grab Corey Maggette Seattle Times
Lakers are scouting heavily in China
Most Valuable Network, MA - 6 hours ago
By Ed Ziti | July 13th, 2008 The Lakers are closely monitoring the Chinese basketball talent, as the feeling is many future NBA players will come from the ...
Free agent update: Lakers, Clips, Hornets, Bulls making maneuvers
ESPN - Jul 12, 2008
An informal survey of team executives and agents here in Vegas has turned up pretty much no one who thinks that the Lakers will match the four-year offer ...
2007 Rumors:

Lakers: Luke Walton Back, Fisher Next? (HoopsWorld.com)
07/03/2007 04:08 PM
The Los Angeles Lakers aggreed to terms with free agent Luke Walton. He'll reportedly get $30 million over six years. Is Derek Fisher next?

Crittenden Signs with Lakers (WRBL Columbus)
07/03/2007 10:16 PM
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) - The Los Angeles Lakers signed their top draft pick -- Georgia Tech freshman point guard Javaris Crittenton -- to a two-year contract that will pay him two-and-a-half million dollars.

Fisher might be a possibility for Lakers (Deseret Morning News)
07/03/2007 11:13 PM
The Los Angeles Lakers have a new young point guard and might be interested in bringing back one of their old point guards to give the rookie some guidance.

Lakers Might Be Interested In Fisher (KTHV Little Rock)
07/04/2007 05:10 AM
The Lakers might be interested in bringing back one of their old point guards. Los Angeles is in search of a veteran, and Derek Fisher, who won three championships with the Lakers, is a possibility. Fisher played his college ball at Arkansas-Little Rock.

Los Angeles, Minnesota have talks about trade (El Paso Times)
06/26/2007 11:23 PM
LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers are aggressively pursuing trades -- and their main target reportedly is Kevin Garnett in what would be an attempt to placate a disgruntled Kobe Bryant.

Lakers' Brown undergoes shoulder surgery (CBS Sportsline)
06/27/2007 12:50 PM
Los Angeles Lakers center Kwame Brown underwent surgery on his right shoulder Wednesday, and the team said he should be at full strength by the start of training camp in early October.

With KG as top target, Lakers pursue trades (Sports Illustrated)
06/26/2007 02:59 PM
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles Lakers are aggressively pursuing trades -- and their main target reportedly is Kevin Garnett in what would be a clear attempt to placate a disgruntled Kobe Bryant.

Lakers put trade talk aside for NBA draft (Orlando Sentinel)
06/27/2007 01:28 PM
In between all the phone calls discussing potential trades, Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak and his staff also have been preparing for Thursday's NBA draft.

Lakers, Wolves reportedly talking trade (USA Today)
06/26/2007 04:08 PM
The Lakers are aggressively pursuing trades and their main target reportedly is Kevin Garnett in what would be a clear attempt to placate a disgruntled Kobe Bryant. The Lakers' proposal, according to the Los Angeles Times, includes forward Lamar Odom and center Andrew Bynum.

Lakers Continue To Pursue Garnett Trade (WCCO Minneapolis/St. Paul)
06/27/2007 09:17 AM
The Los Angeles Lakers are aggressively pursuing trades -- and their main target reportedly is Kevin Garnett in what would be a clear attempt to placate a disgruntled Kobe Bryant. More Sports News

 

2006:

7/13: The Lakers signed Radmanovic to a 5-year, $31.7 million contract... wich means... Lakers strategy of staying under the salary cap to sign a star in 2008 has been left behind in L.A...

The Lakers don't expect other big movements on their roster for the 2006-2007 season and with Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Antony signing extensions to their contracts, the Lakers plans for the future may have to wait a little longer or aim to other direction. James and Wade could opt out in 2010 and Antony in 2011...

Kobe Bryant new Lakers Jersey  number 24
Kobe Bryant Jersey

7/9: Kobe changed 8 for 24...

Kobe Bryant won't be wearing his jersey number 8 in the 2006-2007 season. They say he didn't like Adidas decision to send to the stores a shoe called Crazy 8, similar to one of Kobe's first shoes with them. Of course you know, Adidas doesn't have a contract with Kobe anymore and he is a Nike player.

Kobe will be wearing number 24 on his jersey . Why that number? Kobe says it has sentimental value for him because he wore No. 24 early in his high school career. Something to do with Jordan's 23? He says no...

7/3: With their biannual exception, which allows for a two-year contract totaling about $3.5 million, the Lakers now expected to pursue a ballhandling guard to help Smush Parker. Name include Marcus Banks, Mike James, Speedy Claxton and Bobby Jackson... Former Lakers guard Kareem Rush, released by Charlotte, is another possibility...

LA Lakers Rumors Archive

2005:

10/5: The Lakers were only offering short term deals because they wanted to be under the salary cap for the free-agency period in the summer of 2007 when big free agents like Amare Stoudemire, Yao Ming or Dirk Nowitzki were going to be available, but the first two have signed maximum contracts with their teams in the past weeks, so some say the Lakers could still gamble with the possibility of waiting another year and land Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony or Dwyane Wade in 2008.

9/7: The limited list of guards available include former Laker Jannero Pargo and free agent from Minnesota Latrell Sprewell. Although Sprewell wouldn't be very happy with that money, he's running out of options and is known that Jackson loves experience... There's another rumor about a trade with the Bobcats involving guard/forward Jason Kapono... Some say the Lakers are gambling with the possibility that Lebron James won't be happy in Cleveland by 2007 and he would demand a trade that would put Kobe and Lebron together in the same floor, or that the Lakers can wait until 2008 when Lebron becomes a free agent...

8/22: the Lakers still have $2.5 million left to spend and would like to add a quick guard or a big man. The limited list of guards available include former UCLA Bruin Earl Watson and former Laker Jannero Pargo. With an even shorter list of big men to choose from, the return of Vlade Divac sounds as a good possibility...

8/18: The Lakers are in negotiations with point guards Derek Anderson and Aaron McKie. Both were released by their teams (Blazers and 76ers) with the amnesty clause. McKie seems to be Jackson's favorite...

8/9: The NBA released its 2005-06 schedule. The Lakers 1st game is on Nov 2 in Denver, and on Dec 25 they will face Shaq's Heat in Miami.

8/5: The Lakers need a point guard and are interested in Derek Anderson who was waived by the Trail Blazers.

7/20: Now without Chucky Atkins the Lakers need a point guard. Antonio Daniels was discarded because he wants a long term deal but the Lakers want to be under the salary cap for the free-agency period in the summer of 2007 when big free agents like Amare Stoudemire and Yao Ming will be available. Other free-agent point guards include Dan Dickau, Brevin Knight, Tyronn Lue, Jeff McInnis and Earl Watson...

7/15: Rumors say Vlade Divac retired after 16 seasons.

7/14: In a trade that leaves fans with their mouths open, the Lakers would bring forward-center Kwame Brown from the Wizards and would send Caron Butler and likely Chucky Atkins to Washington. The Lakers need help in the frontcourt , that's why the former no.1 pick, 6-11 Brown is coming to LA. Butler was one of the most consistent players at the end of last season, but he will be a free agent next year.

7/13: Everybody is talking about a trade with the Wizards involving Caron Butler and former No 1 overall pick Kwame Brown. The Lakers need help in the frontcourt and the 6-11 Brown looks good in Jackson's plans.

7/6: Phil Jackson's coaching staff will include Frank Hamblen and Kurt Rambis. Candidates for the other 2 spots are Brian Shaw and Scottie Pippen. Tex Winter will be a consultant.

7/4: The Lakers and Vlade Divac have agreed to postpone a decision on Divac's future until the training camp. Divac has said he will retire if he doesn't return to the Lakers...

6/30: Who's coming? Rumors include free agents Donyell Marshall and Antonio Daniels. Theo Ratliff, Allan Houston and Doug Christie are also being considered.

- 6/28: Although the Lakers have 3 picks in today's draft (10th in the 1st round, 7th and 9th in the 2nd) GM Kupchak doesn't expect a player that makes an immediate impact. The Lakers will try to fill holes in the post and at point guard.

- 6/1: Phil Jackson is about to decide if he wants to return to coach the Lakers.

- 5/23: There's no new coach yet but Phil Jackson continues at the top of the list.

- 2/2: Tomjanovich resigned because of health issues and the new coach could be the old coach: Phil Jackson . Meanwhile assistant Frank Hamblen will be leading the Lakers.