The whirlwind of the first week of free agency has come and gone, and the Lakers have seemingly been quiet on the player acquisition front. Despite bringing in experienced coaches to JJ Redick’s staff and securing the re-signings of LeBron James and Max Christie, it seems like Lakers fans are left wanting more from this offseason. However, all is not lost as LeBron’s restructured contract has kept the team just under the second apron, giving them a glimmer of hope for potential improvements, as reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Jovan Buha.
In the Lakers’ sights are two potential guards that could bolster their roster, pending they can free up enough money and space. Gary Trent Jr., fresh off a three-year, $51 million contract with the Raptors, is a player the Lakers could target, especially with the uncertainty surrounding his future in Toronto following their recent moves, as detailed by Sports Illustrated’s Aaron Rose. Trent Jr. is known for his dual-threat ability to both shoot and defend at a high level, making him an appealing option for the Lakers either as a starter or coming off the bench. His offensive load would be lighter compared to the likes of D’Angelo Russell or Austin Reaves, potentially offering a seamless fit within the team.
On the other hand, veteran Spencer Dinwiddie, who joined the Lakers via a post-deadline buyout last season, presents an intriguing option for the team. Despite mixed results in his 28 games (4 starts) with the Lakers, Dinwiddie provided some much-needed solutions to their point guard struggles. His performance in the Lakers’ first-round series against the Nuggets was underwhelming, but he did have shining moments throughout the season. In fact, his best game as a Laker came on Mar. 24 with an impressive stat line of 26 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal in a thrilling 150-145 victory.
Dinwiddie has expressed his interest in returning to the Lakers during his exit interview, indicating a willingness to continue contributing to the team. As the Lakers navigate the limited roster flexibility, the addition of players like Trent Jr. and Dinwiddie could potentially provide the team with the boost they need to strengthen their lineup for the upcoming season.
