The Los Angeles Lakers are combing through free agency slowly, trying to find players that fit while preserving precious future cap space. President of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka have taken a meticulous approach to free agency, playing the market carefully. They've made one signing thus far, acquiring Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on a one-year, $18 million contract. The Lakers' front office has been clear that landing a veteran point guard to help mentor Lonzo Ball is a top priority. There's a clear lack of depth in the Lakers' backcourt, and Ball currently stands as the only actual point guard on the team. The team is working to change that, meeting with a former NBA Most Valuable Player Thursday afternoon.The Lakers reportedly sat down with unrestricted free agent Derrick Rose for approximately three hours Thursday, reports Chris Haynes of ESPN. Los Angeles is hopeful that they can land the former Rookie of the Year and one-time MVP on a small, one-year contract. Rose is coming off a strong campaign with the New York Knicks, putting up 18 points per game and looking like some of the old spark that made him one of the best young point guards in the NBA was alive again. He still isn't a three-point shooter, though, the biggest knock on his game. He shot just 21 percent from deep last season. The Cleveland Cavaliers are also vying to sign Rose. Cleveland would essentially replace Deron Williams with Rose, should Derrick decide he'd prefer to chase a ring with LeBron James than mentor Lonzo for a season. The Cavaliers, also salary cap strapped, can only offer a minimum contract to Rose. 

Los Angeles also met with Ian Clark Thursday, a meeting that reportedly lasted 45 minutes. Lakers head coach Luke Walton was involved in talks with Clark, a familiar face from his time as an assistant coach with the Warriors. 

It's clear the Lakers are circling in on their final free agency moves, and their focus is on the remaining point guard pool. It's a definite area of need for the Lakers, and with free agency deep into the summer, there are few intriguing options left. 

Rose might be the best available player for that slot, especially on a cost-controlled one-year contract. Whether he feels like a year in Los Angeles is better than a year with the Cavaliers is the big question left for Rose to decide on.