NBA Rumors: Festus Ezeli Headed To Lakers In NBA Free Agency?

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers will be one of the busiest teams in the NBA this summer with the storied franchise trying to figure out a way to right the ship after three straight disappointing seasons. The team has already made their first significant move of the offseason by parting ways with Byron Scott and hiring Luke Walton as his successor, but their work is far from over.

Along with bringing in a new head coach in Walton, the team may be angling to add a few players from the Golden State Warriors. Center Festus Ezeli is one of the players from Walton’s soon-to-be former team the Lakers are said to be interested in luring away from the Bay Area, via Sean Deveney of Sporting News:

The Lakers, a source said, will have interest in Ezeli, seeing his size and rim-protecting defense as an ideal complement to forward Julius Randle. L.A., of course, just hired Warriors assistant Luke Walton to be its coach. Ezeli had the best months of his career in November and December, with Walton filling in while Kerr recovered from back surgery, and before Ezeli’s knee injury.

Obviously, with Kobe Bryant walking away from the game last month, the Lakers brass want to find his successor as the face of the franchise. That being said, Ezeli is a minor piece to the rebuilding puzzle for Los Angeles.

Ezeli and Walton may also be joined by Harrison Barnes in Los Angeles if the Lakers have things go their way this summer. The Warriors forward will be a restricted free agent and may not return to Golden State if the Warriors are intent on pursuing superstar Kevin Durant. The Lakers might be the ideal position to snatch Barnes and Ezeli if the opportunity presents itself during the offseason.