Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ failed pursuit of Klay Thompson, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski does not envision them making a big splash this offseason. On Sportscenter’s coverage of free agency, Wojnarowski reported that he could see some small moves but not a big one.
“It’s a very limited market out there,” Wojnarowski said. “It is a limited trade market unless you want to put draft picks with contracts to get money off, you’re going to have trouble really adding to your roster.
“I don’t expect the Lakers to look a whole lot different on opening night than they do now,” Wojnarowski continued. “There’s some moves around the edges, (but) I don’t sense there’s a big impact move out there for the Lakers or very many teams right now.”
(starts at 0:38 mark):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRnLF3kKuSk
DeMar DeRozan is really the only big-name free agent left on the market and there has been no indication that he would be willing to take a pay cut to join the Lakers. A sign-and-trade is the only way then that they could land DeRozan but Wojnarowski doesn’t appear to think they would go that route or make any significant trade for that matter.
If the Lakers do end up just making some small moves, then another disappointing campaign awaits. It was clear last season that this group didn’t have enough to win it all after the Denver Nuggets knocked them out in five games in the first round of the playoffs.
Lakers fans would be unhappy if things pan out this way, but LeBron James and Anthony Davis might be even unhappier than them. James and Davis reportedly want the Lakers to go all-in on another superstar and I can imagine them being quite frustrated if no significant move is made.
While Wojnarowski doesn’t see a big move on the horizon, another NBA insider does. Chris Haynes reported that LeBron has given the Lakers one week to build a championship roster and he projected the franchise will make a significant move. Lakers fans would certainly be hoping that Haynes ends up being proven right.
Brian Windhorst Thinks LeBron James And The Lakers Have Different Priorities
NBA insider Brian Windhorst brought up some interesting points recently on the situation at hand. Windhorst explained why he thinks LeBron and the Lakers don’t have the same priorities.
“Here’s the thing, not six months ago, not 16 days ago, like last week when they introduced JJ Redick as head coach, Rob Pelinka sat up there in front of everybody and said we are going to focus on development of young players,” Windhorst said. “We’re going to focus on our draft picks, we’re not going to trade our draft picks, that’s what he said.
“LeBron saying I’mma take a pay cut for a guy in his mid-30s is not doing that,” Windhorst continued. “What move have the Lakers made so far this offseason? They signed Max Christie to a $32 million deal, that’s a developmental player. That’s a guy who didn’t even play.
“That shows a plan to follow through with what they said, to keep the picks, to develop the players,” Windhorst added. “That is not with let’s trade a bunch of guys away and give extra picks to do it… The Lakers are trying to stick to a plan. It doesn’t seem like it equals what LeBron wants to do but they did draft Bronny and LeBron’s about to sign for $160 million.
“I think LeBron likes being a Laker and he’s going to stay being a Laker, but the Lakers and LeBron are not showing the same priorities right now,” Windhorst concluded.
Despite the two sides perhaps not being on the same page, LeBron has now signed a two-year, $104 million deal with the Lakers. Did the 39-year-old do so after being assured that the team would make moves? We’ll find out soon enough.
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