Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round exit at the hands of the Denver Nuggets in the 2024 NBA playoffs, changes were inevitable this offseason. The Lakers have already replaced Darvin Ham with JJ Redick and there has been a lot of speculation on changes they might be making to their roster. Here, we take a look at the hottest rumors regarding the franchise right now.
- Klay Thompson Could Join The Lakers This Summer
- D’Angelo Russell Looks To Be On His Way Out
- The Lakers Are Interested In Jerami Grant
- DeMar DeRozan Might Be Another Player LeBron Would Be Willing To Take A Pay Cut For
- Trae Young Is Unlikely To Become A Laker
- Brook Lopez Is A Primary Target For The Lakers
Klay Thompson Could Join The Lakers This Summer
Klay Thompson is the biggest name linked with the Lakers at this moment, as his time with the Golden State Warriors appears to have come to an end. It has been reported that Thompson is intrigued about playing with LeBron James and the Lakers, and the feeling appears to be mutual.
According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, LeBron called Thompson immediately after free agency started. The 34-year-old didn’t have a great 2023-24 season, as he averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game but James wants the sharpshooter on the team.
It now remains to be seen if the Lakers can convince Thompson to join them over teams like the Dallas Mavericks. He will have to take a discount and it has been reported that Klay would be willing to take a pay cut to sign with the Lakers.
D’Angelo Russell Looks To Be On His Way Out
D’Angelo Russell somewhat surprisingly opted into his $18.7 million player option for 2024-25 last week but isn’t expected to be on the team for much longer. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Russell is among the players the Lakers have explored trade scenarios for.
“The Lakers have also been exploring trade scenarios with the contracts of D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, sources said,”
Russell averaged 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in the regular season in 2023-24, but yet again struggled in the playoffs against the Nuggets, which seemed to seal his fate. He still has some value in the market, though, and it will be interesting to see what they can get for him.
The Lakers Are Interested In Jerami Grant
Jerami Grant is another big name to have been linked with the Lakers. As per insider Anthony Irwin, the team has been in talks with the Portland Trail Blazers on a trade.
“I’m told the Lakers and Trail Blazers have been in consistent talks on a deal for Jerami Grant. I wouldn’t call it particularly imminent but the sides have definitely been active most of today.”
The Lakers had tried to trade for Grant back in 2022 but failed to agree on terms with the Detroit Pistons. They’re hoping to have more success with the Trail Blazers here.
Grant averaged 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game in the 2023-24 season. He also shot a career-best 40.2% from beyond the arc and would be a fine addition.
DeMar DeRozan Might Be Another Player LeBron Would Be Willing To Take A Pay Cut For
LeBron is reportedly willing to take a pay cut if the Lakers are able to bring in an impact player and it appears DeMar DeRozan can be added to that list. Brian Windhorst stated on The Hoop Collective Podcast that DeRozan and maybe another player can be added to the initial list, which included Thompson, James Harden, and Jonas Valanciunas.
“I think there’s more than three,” Windhorst said. “I think DeMar DeRozan is on that list as well and there may be another one or so.”
(starts at 34:31 mark):
DeRozan averaged 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game for the Chicago Bulls in 2023-24. He would give the Lakers another great scoring option but would have to take a significant pay cut unless some sign-and-trade deal is made between the two teams.
Trae Young Is Unlikely To Become A Laker
While the Lakers are reportedly pursuing Thompson and Grant, Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young appears to no longer be on their radar. According to Buha, Young’s switch from Klutch Sports to CAA in May makes a trade to the Lakers unlikely.
Young had signed with Klutch in 2020 and had been linked with the Lakers basically ever since. It appears those talks can now be put to bed. Young, who averaged 25.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 10.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in 2023-24, would still have other admirers around the league, though. The question is whether the Hawks want to trade him, after parting ways with Dejounte Murray.
Brook Lopez Is A Primary Target For The Lakers
The Lakers also appear to be interested in a reunion with Brook Lopez, who averaged 12.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.5 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game in 2023-24 for the Milwaukee Bucks. According to Fischer, Lopez is one of the primary targets for the team.
“Brook Lopez has been one of the primary options on the Lakers’ board of hopeful acquisitions, sources said.”
The Lakers were interested in a reunion with Lopez in free agency last year too, but he chose to re-sign with the Bucks. They appear to be open to trading him now, so the Lakers might finally get their man.
Fischer also provided an update on Russell, Hachimura, Vanderbilt, and Vincent being the players who could potentially be on their way out. I think Russell and Vincent will be gone, but one of the other two might end up staying.
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