The 2015 NBA draft recently concluded, and the free agency period is looming. July 1st will mark the beginning of NBA free agency, and the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be big spenders this offseason. Could they finally attract superstar talent to resurface as a top team in the Western Conference again?

Team Needs: Frontcourt Help

After drafting Ohio State point guard D’Angelo Russell with the second overall pick in the NBA draft, the Lakers will now need to focus on shoring up their frontcourt. They were expected to add a big man through the draft, but the Lakers bypassed that idea and took a point guard instead with confidence that they could find a big via free agency.

Currently, LaMarcus Aldridge is one of the hottest names being mentioned in Lakers’ free agency rumors. The Lakers are expected to offer him a four-year, $80 million contract once the offseason officially begins. There have been reports that Aldridge told the Portland Trail Blazers that he will not return, making him more than available in the free-agent market.

In addition, Aldridge has Los Angeles as one of his few preferred destinations. The San Antonio Spurs are still on top of his list, while the Lakers are right behind them followed by the Dallas Mavericks.

Scoring Aldridge via free agency would mean the world to the Lakers and their fan base. With the Lakers garnering three young prospects in Russell, Julius Randle, and Jordan Clarkson and the available cap space they possess, Los Angeles has turned into an attractive market again. Adding Aldridge to that mix would only make the Lakers more promising.

If the Lakers are able to accomplish their goal by landing Aldridge, they could further solidify their frontcourt by possibly adding a cheap defensive center.

Tyson Chandler perhaps?

With Chandler being a one-way player who is going to turn 33 before the start of the season, the Lakers could potentially make a bargain deal with the veteran. After all, the Lakers will have over $23 million in cap room to go along with a $5.4 million Mid-Level Exception and $2.1 million Bi-Annual Exception, considering they do not pick up Jordan Hill’s $9 million team option. Of course if they sign Aldridge to a maximum deal, most of the cap room will vanish, but the Lakers could probably absorb a defensive big man like Chandler with their MLE.

The small forward position also needs a lot of work. If L.A. is unable to sign LA, they may look to improve their wing position by pursing Jimmy Butler. Butler has interest in signing with Los Angeles, but the Lakers’ number one priority is to essentially sign a big man first. If Aldridge is their guy, the small forward position will have to be filled in with an average role player. Maybe the Lakers can re-sign Wesley Johnson or move forward with a veteran sharpshooter in Mike Dunleavy.

But as far as big men go, Aldridge doesn’t have to be their only target. The Lakers could also throw their millions at Kevin Love, Marc Gasol, DeAndre Jordan, Brook Lopez, or Paul Millsap. However, at the moment Aldridge is the most attainable and best fit for the Lakers. Pair him up with an affordable defensive center and the Lakers have themselves a polished frontcourt.

There are a lot of ‘ifs’ for the Lakers this summer, but one thing is for sure, they have plenty of money to spend and young talent to entice the best free agents available. This could be the offseason where the Lakers finally bolster their roster to contend for a playoff spot.

Will the front office be able to deliver? Stay tuned.