Free agency and trade targets for Lakers this offseason
With free agency fast approaching, the Lakers are in the middle of a huge offseason.
The Lakers, as it stands currently, only have taxpayer midlevel exception, which stands at $5.2 million, and, of course, the veteran minimum contracts.
However, LeBron James has expressed a willingness to take a pay cut, giving the Lakers access to the non-taxpayer midlevel exception ($12.8 million). James hopes they could land James Harden, Klay Thompson, or Jonas Valanciunas if he takes a pay cut.
Another option for the Lakers to improve the roster is via trade.
There are many glaring holes that the Lakers need to address this offseason, with free agency starting Sunday, June 30 at 3 pm PST.
LeBron is willing to take a pay cut for James Harden, Klay Thompson, or Jonas Valančiūnas, per @mcten 🔥
HE WANTS THAT 5TH RING 😈 pic.twitter.com/pWqGJBFdU3
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) June 29, 2024
Jonas Valanciunas
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Lakers could express interest in signing Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas. The veteran center would be a great acquisition for the roster with LeBron James opting out of his contract and looking for ways to free up money,
Valanciunas is a walking double-double and has averaged 13/10/1 over his career.
If this were to happen, Anthony Davis could potentially slide back to the power forward position, which is the position that he prefers to play and that was key to the Lakers 2020 title run.
Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler
Now that Dejounte Murray has been traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, Sexton and Kessler are great options for Plan B.
A trade package would most likely include D’Angelo Russell, who opted into his $18.7 million player option, and Jalen Hood-Schifino, along with some draft capital.
Sexton is a two-way guard who averaged 19/3/5 with nearly a steal per game.
Kessler is a young center who has done well, but the Jazz have expressed that they are willing to listen to offers for him. He has averaged 9/8/1 in his career with 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 69% from the field.
Sources: Klay Thompson is intrigued about playing with the Lakers and LeBron James, provided he re-signs with the Lakers. Thompson plans on talking with the Lakers, as well as Dallas.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 29, 2024
Klay Thompson
This one might not be liked by many, but when there is a shooter out there like Thompson, it’s hard to pass on someone like him.
Thompson is a 4-time NBA Champion and arguably one of the greatest shooters of all time.
This past season was a forgettable one as he averaged 18/3/2 and shot the second-lowest percentage from three in his career at 38.7%. While this was a down year for Thompson, these are still impressive averages for most players.
Thompson grew up around the Lakers, as his father, Mychal Thompson, played for the Showtime Lakers. It would make sense for Thompson to come home and represent the Purple and Gold.
The Lakers have a busy offseason ahead and need to make the right moves to be right back in contention. With James’ willingness to take a pay cut, the front office’s route to upgrade the roster becomes easier.
