The 2024 NBA offseason is now in full swing and the Los Angeles Lakers appear to be open to parting ways with four key role players. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Lakers have looked at trades involving D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent.
“The Lakers have also been exploring trade scenarios with the contracts of D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent, sources said, and Brook Lopez has been one of the primary options on the Lakers’ board of hopeful acquisitions, sources said.”
Brook Lopez would be an interesting acquisition for the Lakers. He was a target for them last year as well, but eventually signed a two-year deal to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks. The big man is reportedly available for trade now and you’d think that if they do land him, then Anthony Davis would be moved to power forward, the position he wants to play.
Getting back to the players who, unlike Davis, might not be on the team next season, I think the biggest surprise is Vanderbilt potentially being on his way out. The 25-year-old is one of the best defenders on the team but was injured for much of the 2023-24 season.
Vanderbilt only played 29 games in the campaign and averaged 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per contest. He also played no part in the first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, as the Lakers lost in five games. Vanderbilt also remains somewhat of a non-factor on offense, which could be why the Lakers are open to parting ways with him.
As for Russell, he just opted into his $18.7 million player option for 2024-25 with the Lakers, but an exit still seemed very likely. The one-time All-Star played well in the regular season, with averages of 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game, but was terrible in the playoffs yet again.
Russell averaged 14.2 points on 38.4% shooting from the field in the series against the Nuggets. The 28-year-old was a liability on the court at times and I always felt that Game 5 would be his last game with the franchise. A Lakers insider also predicted Russell would be traded soon and if the Lakers do pull off a big move, you can expect him to be one of the players heading out.
Hachimura is also somewhat of an interesting case like Vanderbilt. I thought the Lakers would try to hold on to him after he averaged 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game in 2023-24. The 26-year-old has some value as an asset, though, and would be someone teams would want if they were to part with a star.
Lastly, we get to Vincent and it’s unfortunate how his Lakers career has panned out. The 28-year-old was their most notable free-agent acquisition last year but played just 11 games due to injuries.
Vincent averaged just 3.1 points, 0.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.8 steals per game in 2023-24, after signing a three-year, $33 million deal. It is not the least bit surprising that the Lakers would be open to parting ways, but unlike Hachimura, I doubt he has much value as an asset right now.
It will be interesting to see what the Lakers can get in return for this lot. I doubt they can get a star with just these assets, though, and more pieces will have to be added into the mix.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
