Trade Rumors: Lakers, Clippers and Warriors Battling it Out for Marc Gasol?

The Los Angeles Lakers are hell-bent on running it back in 2021. While many felt that the former champions won’t make any significant changes to their roster this offseason, the Lakers have sparked a major rejig. By doing so, they will aim to finish their next season with an even better record than the previous one.

Their first big move this offseason was acquiring Dennis Schroder from Oklahoma City Thunder. With Rajon Rondo parting ways with the Lakers, Schroder is

the best way to fill that void. Since Kyle Kuzma failed to step up as the third scoring-option for them alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Schroder is expected to take up that role instead.

Next up, they managed to pull off a big free agency coup. They signed their rival’s, Clippers, center, and the Sixth Man of the Year, Montrezl Harrell. However, they didn’t stop there. They also acquired Milwaukee Bucks’ Wesley Matthews in free agency, who will fill as the veteran presence they need.

With these pieces in place, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has also been re-signed by the Lakers. He was one of their most valuable players in their chase for the championship after Anthony Davis.

Lakers and Clippers at war?

After several moves this offseason, it looked like the Lakers were done. However, after signing Harrell, the Clippers and Lakers are seemingly battling it out for more players.

According to Marc Stein, “The Clippers have joined the race for free-agent big men Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol, league sources say Gasol is considered the more realistic target given the fierce competition for Ibaka headed by Toronto and Brooklyn”

And now the Lakers are speculated to be in the run for Gasol too. “The Lakers also seek one more big man, league sources say, but they face much tougher financial constraints in the chase for Gasol after signing Montrezl Harrell away from the Clippers and re-signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope,” Stein also tweeted.

There were rumors that the purple and gold also wanted Serge Ibaka. However, the Clippers have already made their move for the star. As per Adrian Wojnarowski, “Free agent Serge Ibaka plans to sign a 2 year, $19M deal with the Clippers, a source tells ESPN.”

The Warriors are also another team who are expressing a deep interest in the center. But the Toronto Raptors are also trying to convince him to stay with a new deal.

It looks like the LA teams are trying to one-up each other. With these enormous changes, which one between the two will emerge victorious?