For a third consecutive offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers have been among the most active teams.
Their biggest move so far? Trading for one-time MVP and nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook, who the Lakers acquired from the Washington Wizards for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma and the draft rights to Isaiah Jackson.
Following that acquisition, a number of signings were reported and later officially announced by the Lakers. Those free-agent signings include former Lakers in Dwight Howard, Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore and Wayne Ellington, along with players such as Carmelo Anthony, Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk.
MORE: Is Westbrook the answer for the Lakers?
Those moves combined with the re-signing of young Talent Horton-Tucker have left only a couple of roster spots open, which have had a lot of conversation surrounding them.
Here's a look at all the reports and rumours over the offseason surrounding the Lakers' final few roster spots.
Lakers 'frontrunners' to sign Rondo
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Rajon Rondo has agreed to a contract buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers are reportedly the "frontrunners" to sign him once he clears waivers on Monday.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the frontrunners to sign Rajon Rondo after he clears waivers on Monday, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Rondo was a key part of the Lakers‘ 2020 championship team. https://t.co/lT4jCtoCXw
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 28, 2021
Rondo, Jordan are 'strong favourites' to sign with Lakers
On Aug. 27, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne talked about the possibility of Rajon Rondo and DeAndre Jordan signing with the Lakers if they are bought out.
Do you want to see the Lakers fill out the roster with Rajon Rondo if he's bought out? How about DeAndre Jordan? 👀
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) August 26, 2021
Full podcast with @ramonashelburne on 710 ESPN ➡️ https://t.co/ZEF4FHSJ0A pic.twitter.com/7K3oPisNQP
Rondo, who was part of the Lakers' 2020 championship squad, is currently with the Memphis Grizzlies, who acquired him in a trade with the LA Clippers this offseason. Jordan is on Brooklyn's books for $9.9 million in 2021-22 and $9.8 million in 2022-23, per Spotrac.
Sampson, Frazier are candidates too
On Aug. 20, reputed NBA reporter Marc Stein wrote in a post published to his Substack that big man JaKarr Sampson and veteran guard Tim Frazier are candidates for the Lakers' final roster spots.
Lakers work out Thomas, Collison, James
On Aug. 18, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported that the Lakers have worked out a trio of guards including Isaiah Thomas, Darren Collison and Mike James. Haynes added that adding a third point guard is a "priority" for the Lakers.
Click here to read what Thomas could bring to a team.
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