The Los Angeles Lakers continue to discuss a trade involving Kyle Kuzma for Buddy Hield, but could also pivot to a sign-and-trade scenario with the San Antonio Spurs for DeMar DeRozan.

The Lakers' deal with the Sacramento Kings could hinge on Montrezl Harrell picking up his $9.7 million player option for the 21-22 season.

Kuzma previously played for Gregg Popovich as part of the United States' World Cup team. The Lakers signed Kuzma to a three-year, $40 million extension before the 20-21 season.

Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Spencer Dinwiddie each have interest in joining the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times.

The Lakers pursued a trade for Lowry at the deadline but were unable to agree to terms with the Toronto Raptors.

DeRozan is a native of Los Angeles and remains one of the league's best individual scorers in the halfcourt. DeRozan is a native of Los Angeles.

Dinwiddie also grew up in the Los Angeles area and is recovering from a partially torn ACL. Dinwiddie declined his $12.3 million player option for 21-22 with the Brooklyn Nets. 

The Lakers would likely need to work on a sign-and-trade in order to acquire either Lowry, DeRozan or Dinwiddie.

Dennis Schroder, Wesley Matthews, Alex Caruso, Jared Dudley, Markieff Morris, Andre Drummond and Ben McLemore are unrestricted free agents, while Talen Horton-Tucker is a restricted free agent.

The San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers previously had interest in hiring Nico Harrison for a front office position. Harrison was recently hired away from Nike to run the front office of the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks hired Harrison to replace Donnie Nelson.

The Spurs instead elevated Brian Wright to general manager in 2019.

It is not known when the Lakers pursued Harrison, but they knew him well after his extensive work with Kobe Bryant. 

The United States has added JaVale McGee and Keldon Johnson to their 12-man roster for the Olympics. 

McGee and Johnson will replace Kevin Love and Bradley Beal.

Love is returning from a right calf injury that forced him out of the competition. Beal is in Team USA's COVID-19 protocols. 

McGee had been a finalist for the Team USA roster. Johnson has been playing with the Olympic team as a member of the USA Select team.

The Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves are among the teams expected to show interest in John Collins in restricted free agency.

Collins averaged 13.9 points, 8.7 rebounds and 35.7 percent 3-point shooting over 18 games in the playoffs.

The common perception around the league is that Collins increased his value during the Atlanta Hawks' playoff run. The Hawks are interested in keeping Collins. Tony Ressler said after the season that he hoped the team reached a “fair agreement” with Collins.

Becky Hammon was one of the Portland Trail Blazers' leading candidates to become head coach, but the job ultimately went to Chauncey Billups.

“I’m not mad,” Hammon said. “This is the business, and it’s a very competitive business. But, at the end of the day, throw everything out the window — if you want to hire me, you’ll find a reason to hire me. And if you don’t want to hire me, you’ll find that reason, too. And that’s just that.”

Hammon will remain an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs next season and she feels like the Blazers already had their preferred target during the process. 

“I knew I was second; I knew who they wanted. And I’m OK with that, because every race I’ve gotten into my entire life, I’ve been behind, and I’m OK with that. And that’s just how it is — but at the same time, I’m not ignorant to what I’m going up against.”

Hammon also said she felt the Blazers were “authentic” in their coaching search.