Recent rumors were out that the Los Angeles Lakers are eyeing Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli this summer as the Hollywood squad tries to add another young big man in their roster.

Lakers Nation reported that one of the "potential targets" of the Lakers in the offseason is the 26-year-old Ezeli, the 30th overall pick of the 2012 draft and a three-year league veteran.

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Ezeli earned career-high averages in points, rebounds, blocks, and minutes played during the recently concluded regular season with 7.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, and 1.1 bpg, in 16.7 minutes of playing time per night for the Warriors. He also started 13 times in the 46 games he suited up for the defending champions.

The Sporting News' Sean Deveney said that according to his source, Mitch Kupchak and company "will have an interest in Ezeli, seeing his size and rim-protecting defense as an ideal complement to forward Julius Randle".

It was also mentioned that the hiring of former Golden State assistant coach Luke Walton could be a positive factor that they may land the 6-foot-11 Nigerian in the summer.

There were sources, though, saying that Ezeli's number one option is to stay with the Warriors as he is assuming to become the team's next starting center after Andrew Bogut's expires next summer.

The former Vanderbilt standout is currently in the final year of his four-year, $5.2 million contract with Golden State, which will make him a restricted free agent in July.

Ezeli has only been given limited exposure in his three seasons with the Warriors as the team regularly implements a fast-paced, small lineup that utilizes smaller big men like Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes much of the time.

Analysts are saying that Ezeli could be given a "larger role" with the Lakers moving forward, which would unleash his real potential as he reaches his prime years.

However, LA the possibility of overpaying him and his injury history could make the Lakers think twice about making a run for Ezeli this summer.

TagsNBA Free-Agency Rumors, NBA Free-Agency Rumors 2016, Lakers free-agency rumors, Los Angeles Lakers, Festus Ezeli