NBA analyst Brian Windhorst recently emphasized on ESPN that the Los Angeles Lakers are currently unable to afford Klay Thompson unless they manage to trade D’Angelo Russell.
“I’m gonna make this very clear. The Lakers cannot afford Klay Thompson right now. The only way it’s going to work is if they make another trade to offload salary. LeBron isn’t taking a $35 million pay cut.”
“He will take a pay cut, he’s not coming down to a massive amount of money. So, they need to make another trade in the interim before Klay Thompson makes up his mind probably with D’Angelo Russell.” (4:24)
This revelation follows LeBron James’ indication that he is willing to take a pay cut to provide the Lakers with the mid-level exception of $12.9 million. However, even with James’ potential salary reduction, the Lakers’ financial flexibility remains limited.
The Lakers have been aggressively looking to trade D’Angelo Russell, whose contract could free up significant cap space. Russell opted into his contract, which has become a crucial factor in the Lakers’ plans to restructure their roster. His $18.7 million salary for the upcoming season makes him a valuable asset for salary matching in potential trades.
LeBron James‘ willingness to take a pay cut is significant, yet not enough on its own to make room for a player of Thompson’s caliber. James’ current contract extension possibilities range up to $162 million over three years, and while a pay cut could help, it wouldn’t bridge the gap required to sign Thompson without further roster adjustments.
The Lakers’ front office is under pressure to optimize their roster around James and Anthony Davis. Trading Russell appears to be the most viable solution to create the necessary cap space for Thompson. Additionally, unloading Russell’s contract would provide the Lakers with more flexibility to pursue other free agents and make impactful additions to their squad.
Windhorst’s comments highlight the complex financial maneuvering the Lakers must undertake to acquire Thompson. The situation underscores the delicate balance NBA teams must maintain between retaining star talent and managing salary cap constraints.
For the Lakers, executing a trade involving Russell could be the key move that unlocks their ability to make a significant signing like Thompson, potentially bolstering their championship aspirations.
Can Any Of The Lakers Tradeable Players Help The Warriors?
As the 2024 NBA offseason unfolds, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly open to trading key role players, including D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent. The Golden State Warriors, on the other hand, are open to a sign-and-trade deal involving Klay Thompson. This scenario raises the question: Can any of the Lakers’ tradeable players truly help the Warriors?
At a glance, the answer seems to lean towards the negative. The Warriors, a team with championship aspirations and a core of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, are likely in search of a player who can significantly elevate their competitiveness. Among the Lakers’ tradeable assets, none appear to fit the bill.
D’Angelo Russell, while a competent scorer and playmaker, has had consistency issues, particularly in high-stakes games. His performance in the playoffs has been a point of concern, and his defensive liabilities might not mesh well with the Warriors’ system, which relies heavily on versatility and defensive prowess.
Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt bring solid defensive skills and rebounding to the table. However, neither has shown the ability to consistently impact games at a level that would be required to move the needle for the Warriors. Gabe Vincent, a role player with shooting ability, also does not fit the profile of the impactful star the Warriors are seeking.
The one player from the Lakers who could potentially interest the Warriors is Austin Reaves. Reaves has shown tremendous growth and versatility, proving to be a reliable scorer and playmaker. However, the Lakers are highly unlikely to part ways with Reaves unless they receive a superstar in return, a scenario that seems improbable.
Given these dynamics, the Lakers might need to explore other trade partners. Teams like the Detroit Pistons and the Utah Jazz could be viable options to absorb salaries. To make such deals appealing, the Lakers would likely have to include one or two of their available first-round picks as sweeteners.
While the Lakers have several tradeable players, none of them seem to align with the Warriors’ immediate needs for a high-impact star. The Lakers will need to strategically navigate the trade market, possibly engaging with other teams that can help facilitate the roster adjustments they need to compete at a higher level in the upcoming season.
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