Following the current Dorian Finney vs. Smith commotion, the Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly setting their sights on new commerce priorities because the 2024-25 season approaches.
In response to HoopsHype’s NBA insider Michael Scott, the Lakers are struggling to land a giant man on the following market, and their prime goal is Jonas Valanciunas.
And in a possible contract, Gabe Vincent is presumed to be an asset that LA might leverage.
“Now that they’ve the wing defender they wished in Finney-Smith, subsequent on the Lakers’ record is a backup middle. The Lakers might use their remaining future second-round draft capital to purchase Wizards middle Jonas Valanciunas on the commerce market. “They are going to proceed to attempt to purchase one other backup middle, and Gabe Vincent is anticipated to be concerned in negotiations as properly, league sources instructed HoopsHype,” Scott mentioned. I wrote.
Within the current deal to accumulate Finney Smith and Shake Milton, the Lakers obtained three second-round draft picks (2027, 2030, 2032) as a part of a package deal that additionally included D’Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis. was waived to the Brooklyn Nets.
Wanting on the present draft shelf, they nonetheless have two second-rounders out there (2025 owned and 2025 from the LA Clippers). These are simply among the minimal property the Lakers might use as a minimal asset for future trades outdoors of the all-important first-round choose. Spherical choose (2029, 2031).
There are various opinions on whether or not the Lakers will preserve Vincent forward of the February sixth commerce deadline, however the veteran guard’s $11 million annual wage is much an excessive amount of for the crew to make one other transfer. That is the quantity.
In truth, it is well-known in NBA circles that the Lakers are pursuing one other huge man to associate with Anthony Davis. Contemplating the Washington Wizards’ rebuilding scenario and LeBron James’ curiosity within the Lithuanian middle since this previous free company, Valanciunas is a outstanding identify being checked out round them.
What will certainly occur subsequent for them stays to be seen, however the Lakers are solely assured about their possibilities of touchdown one other huge deal after Finney-Smith. With a chunk as wealthy as Vincent and a unit to match his wage, Rob Pelinka nonetheless has loads of methods to enhance his crew’s roster.
If one other huge contract comes by, the Lakers might be doing all the pieces they’ll to make a severe title shot.
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