The Los Angeles Lakers have been quiet to start the 2024 offseason. Aside from acquiring head coach JJ Redick and the draft, the team hasn’t made much noise. Amongst every offseason are big names and rumors that get linked with the purple and gold. Players like Jonas Valanciunas and Klay Thompson were on the horizon to be acquired by the Lakers. However, both players signed somewhere else, leaving Lakers nation in shambles.
Lakers Trade Talk Rumors With Blazers, Nets, Jazz
While they’ve struck out on a few notable free agents, the Lakers aren’t quite finished trying to acquire new pieces to the roster. Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported that the Lakers have had talks with the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets regarding trades in the past few days.
LAKERS FREE AGENCY SPECIAL with @AllenSliwa! How the #LakeShow can still win in FA + @jovanbuha joins https://t.co/MOvRdE70CE
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) July 2, 2024
Portland Trail Blazers
There have been trade talk rumors of potential interest in Blazers forward Jerami Grant. However, taking on Grant’s remaining four years of his five-year, $160 million contract might not be the best move. Grant would definitely be a solid fit for the purple and gold. As a 3-and-D wing, he could be an impactful player for the Lakers on both ends of the floor. If Los Angeles isn’t interested in acquiring such a lengthy contract in Grant’s, they could potentially go after Matisse Thybulle or Robert Williams III. Williams could be a great pickup, as most Lakers fans agree a quality center is needed to put Anthony Davis back in the four spot. The position and roster setup that got the Lakers a championship in 2020.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have also been linked in trade talks with the Lakers. Their prominent wing players have been circulating. Names like Cameron Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith have been mentioned in trade rumors. Both players have developed well in the systems and teams they’ve played for. They can space out the floor and give a boost both on the offensive and defensive end.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz have a very intriguing name that could potentially be moving to a different team: Lauri Markkanen. If he is to be traded, Utah will ask for a high price for the 27-year-old. It’s unclear if the Lakers will be able to give up many assets and draft picks for a player in Markkanen. He would be an excellent pickup for the purple and gold, but it seems unlikely. Besides Markkanen, the Lakers could potentially go after Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler, who would both be solid fits for the Lakers.
Last Word
Rob Pelinka says he will continue to be aggressive looking for moves to upgrade the #Lakers roster, and that will now have to come via trade.https://t.co/43CbeEgWgc pic.twitter.com/4J65VXarSZ
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) July 3, 2024
General manager Rob Pelinka has been speaking with these teams and discussing potential trade options over the past several days. While he operates throughout the NBA offseason, we will see if the Lakers will make any significant moves in the following weeks. Lakers nation seems to be quite nervous, as they’ve missed out on some prominent names this offseason. However, you can’t write them off yet.
According to Buha,
“It’s too early to write the Lakers off, of course. There’s always a chance they pull a rabbit out of a hat with a trade or signing. They have been active in recent days, discussing potential deals with Portland, Brooklyn and Utah, among other teams, according to league and team sources. Vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka tends to operate in the shadows, more so this summer than ever, according to league sources. It’s certainly possible he has a contingency plan that saves the offseason.”
The Lakers are exploring the market and their options. Pelinka and the Lakers faithful expect something to happen. We should soon see who the Los Angeles Lakers acquire.
