The Los Angeles Lakers are armed with a ton of cap space and are ready to make a splash this summer. But the biggest name in this year's free-agent crop -- Kevin Durant -- reportedly isn't planning on meeting with the struggling franchise.
But apparently that hasn't shaken the Lakers' confidence.
"I can't imagine Durant wouldn't talk to us," a source close to the Lakers' thinking told ESPN. "That would shock me."
What's really been shocking has been the Lakers' sudden fall from grace. The club is coming off its worst season in franchise history, going 17-65 for its third consecutive sub-30-win campaign.
That level of losing probably isn't lost on Durant, who has said his offseason choice will be a "basketball decision." Durant's emphasis on winning is understandable as the four-time scoring champion is still seeking his first championship.
With Kobe Bryant calling it quits last season, the Lakers are looking for their next franchise player. But their roster lacks the star power that would appeal to many free agents, leaving the once-great organization to have to convince players to join a team that used to be talk of the league.
According to the report, the Lakers plan to sell free agents on their ability to clear as much as $60 million in cap space, giving them the possibility to sign multiple top-tier players.
"We want to pitch guys on combinations, as opposed to just one guy," the source told the outlet. "We'll say to a guy, 'Who do you want to play with? We've got the room to go get him.'"
Durant reportedly will meet with the Thunder, Spurs, Heat, Warriors, Celtics and Clippers when free agency begins Friday.
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