The Kobe Bryant farewell tour is over, so it's time for the Lakers to concentrate on winning again.
One glaring weakness on the roster right now is the lack of a true center. Roy Hibbert has regressed into borderline ineptitude in recent seasons and Julius Randle has developed into more of an outside threat that drives to the basket.
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According to ESPN, the Lakers have picked center Hassan Whiteside as a player they will "aggressively" pursue once free agency starts this offseason.
The Trail Blazers and Mavericks have emerged as teams pursuing Whiteside as well. The Mavericks are expected to meet with Whiteside once free agency opens and he starts conducting personal meetings with teams, according to the report.
Whiteside, who averaged 14.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and a league-leading 3.7 blocks per game last season with the Heat, will almost certainly demand a maximum salary this offseason.
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But the Heat aren't ready to throw in the towel just yet.
"More than likely, players out there in free agency, our No. 1 priority is Hassan Whiteside," Heat president Pat Riley said after the season. "He's 26 years old. He's a game changer."
If the Lakers do obtain Whiteside's services, they could go from one of the worst rosters in the NBA to a playoff contender.