Los Angeles Lakers rumors: Surprise draft pick may play big part in free agency

(USA Today Sports / Reuters)Kobe Bryant (24) and the Los Angeles Lakers have gone through a tough season but things may start to finally look up.

With all eyes fixed on the 2015 class of the NBA Draft, most people had their lists ready and thought that everything was going according to plan.

The Minnesota Timberwolves won the lottery and naturally picked one of the two most sought after college players in America - Karl Anthony-Towns from the Kentucky Wildcats.

After him, many believed that Duke's center would take the stage next as Jahlil Okafor was a lock for either number one or two.

Unfortunately for everyone, the Los Angeles Lakers who had the second pick were thinking otherwise.

In a shock move, they chose combo guard D'Angelo Russell from Ohio State, leaving pundits and fans across the world ranting and raving.

However, the Lakers hierarchy looked like they knew what they were doing. With the list of big men making themselves available through free agency, it seems that one of them is bound to end up in Hollywood.

It has been no secret that the Lakers have been longing to bring DeMarcus Cousins from the Sacramento Kings to Los Angeles.

He's a big and strong center who is highly touted as the best in the league at the position.

And with all the controversy and turmoil going on in Sacramento, it seems dangerously apparent that Cousins is on his way out.

Meanwhile, in Ohio, Kevin Love also revealed that he will be dipping his toes in free agency after deciding to opt out of his final year with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

It has been a see-saw year for Love, who bowed out of the playoffs due to a shoulder injury early in the post-season.

Reports claim that he may sign with the Cavs again, but nothing is official until it is set on paper.

Finally, the Portland Trail Blazers' LaMarcus Aldridge also added his name to the list of players wanting out, after revealing that he will no longer be in Oregon when the new season comes.

The Lakers may battle the San Antonio Spurs in trying to get Aldridge, but if conclusions are going to be made by Los Angeles' draft choice, they have an ace up their sleeves to bring Aldridge to Los Angeles.

In a few days, the market opens and even more chaos will resume. Be sure that the Lakers will still have their names on the players' considerations.

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