Los Angeles Lakers trade rumors 2016: Eyeing big summer in 2017

Despite the 2016-17 season still a few months away, the rumor mill is advanced and now linking the Los Angeles Lakers to some big moves in the next summer.

The Purple and Gold have been linked to getting signings in the next season and one of them is the Orlando Magic's Serge Ibaka.

Ibaka was traded to the Magic this summer from the Oklahoma City Thunder, where the Thunder picked up three players as they gave up Ibaka.

The young center-forward has yet to play a single game for the Florida franchise but is considered a possibility to be picked by the Lakers as they are clearly looking for a presence in the middle.

At the moment, the Lakers have guards D'Angelo Russel and Jordan Clarkson who are constantly progressing, while Brandon Ingram is set to be a star at the small forward position.

Unfortunately, power forwards like Julius Randle still have not lived up to the expectation, and the Lakers may turn to Ibaka to take the lead in the center spot.

Despite being undersized at the center position, Ibaka has proven during his time with the Thunder that he can contend with some of the best centers in the league.

Fan Sided also mentioned Ibaka as the top priority of the Lakers after the coming season as he is only about to enter the peak of his powers at 26 years old.

Given the big market that the Lakers have, it will be tough for Ibaka to turn down an offer if it does come.

Having spent his first seven seasons with the Thunder, Ibaka has put up solid numbers. He averages 11.6 points per game, but the highlights of his statistics are on the defensive end as he picks up 2.5 blocks per game on average.

Furthermore, he has stretched his game as he averages 36 percent from beyond the arc while shooting 52 percent overall.

If the trade does happen, then the Lakers may only be a few steps away from being contenders once again.