The first few weeks of free agency have passed, and the Los Angeles Lakers have remained one of the quietest teams in the league.
The Lakers' only move was inking former Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a one-year, $18 million deal. However, Mark Medina of the Orange County Register is reporting that the front office has narrowed down their search for a veteran backup point guard to a handful possible candidates.
Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson said Wednesday he has narrowed in on “five or six candidates” for the team’s backup point-guard spot. Those candidates also include free agent Ian Clark and Tyler Ennis, sources said.
This list includes former league MVP Derrick Rose, who the team is reportedly meeting with on Thursday afternoon. The 28-year-old was also reportedly in serious discussions on a one-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, while the Chicago Bulls have also emerged as a possible suitor.
Former Golden State Warriors guard Ian Clark has also been linked to the Lakers over the last few weeks while last season's backup Tyler Ennis has received little interest on the open market. Ennis was acquired by the Lakers last season prior to the trade deadline back in February.
He averaged career-highs in 22 games played with the team consisting of 7.7 points, 2.4 assists, and 0.9 steals on 45.1 percent shooting from the field and 38.9 percent from 3-point range in 17.8 minutes per contest.
Team president Magic Johnson has made it clear that the front office is looking to bring a veteran point guard that could help contribute off the bench while serving as a mentor to rookie point guard Lonzo Ball.
Los Angeles could likely wait until things are sorted out with Rose over the weekend before making another roster move. The team currently possesses a $4.3 million exception to use in free agency.
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