The Cleveland Cavaliers are leaving 14-year veteran Brendan Haywood and his contract open for willing takers and the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in acquiring the seven-foot center to possibly unload his salary and free up more cap space, as per Lakers Nation.

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However, the teams should finalize the deal sooner as the August 1 deadline of Haywood's salary becoming guaranteed is fast approaching.

At present, the former North Carolina Tar Heel is owed a $10.5 million unguaranteed contract and, according to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports' Pro Basketball Talk, any team "who waives him by July 31 saves all that cash."

Mitch Kupchak was allegedly looking to create more space in the team's cap as they prepare for the addition of Roy Hibbert, Lou Williams, and Brandon Bass.

Other ways that the Lakers are speculated to do it are shipping Nick Young, Robert Sacre, and Ryan Kelly to another team or offering Jordan Hill and Jeremy Lin in sign-and-trade deals.

ESPN reported that Lin had already signed a two-year bi-annual exception worth $4.3 million with the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, which then took care some of Kupchak's problems. The general manager is reportedly "far from done" this offseason as he tries to improve the Lake Show's lineup before the season begins in October.

Haywood was rumored to be part of a huge trade between the Cavs and Brooklyn Nets featuring All-Star Joe Johnson as the centerpiece of the deal. Starting center Anderson Varejão was also said to be included in the proposed exchange but the talks were stalled at this time with no reports of continuing.

Reportedly, Cleveland changed its mind about trading the seven-foot Brazilian which led to the seeming cancelation of the supposed trade.

According to Hoops Rumors, many NBA analysts believe that if ever Haywood would be waived before the August deadline, which is what will most likely happen, the 35-year-old center would just choose to retire than to seek a new team to play for.

Aside from the Lakers, the Phoenix Suns are also interested in acquiring Haywood's contract. The Suns had been busy this offseason trading and unloading contracts in an effort to try and snatch LaMarcus Aldridge during free agency, but the All-Star power forward had reportedly already signed a four-year deal with perennial contenders San Antonio Spurs.

TagsNBA 2015, NBA news, NBA News 2015, NBA rumors, NBA Rumors 2015, NBA Trade Rumors, NBA trade rumors 2015, Brendan Haywood, cleveland cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers