The Los Angeles Lakers could be changing directions with their plans for the 2014 NBA free agency period, preferring to redouble their efforts at landing a top-tier free agent during the summer of 2015.
According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com, today's re-signings of Nick Young and Jordan Hill signal a shift in the team's philosophy for this offseason:
Lakers plan is pretty much to try again with big free agent next summer, hence paying big $ for one-two year deals like JHill
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 12, 2014
They chose Nick Young and JHill over other free agent options. Still have an offer out to Pau, but that's unlikely now — Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 12, 2014
After locking down Young at four years and $21.5 million, along with Hill at two years and $18 million, Lakers general manager opted for rewarding two standouts from the 2013-14 season over redirecting that cash towards a marquee free agent.
Couple that with the team's trade for Jeremy Lin and his $8 million-plus cap hit earlier today, and it's easy to see why the Lakers could be changing their tact at the present moment - opting to find cost-effective complementary talent rather than making a giant splash in this year's marketplace.
For all the latest on the Lakers' offseason, stay tuned to Chat Sports and our Los Angeles Lakers team page.
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