In a pivotal offseason for the Los Angeles Lakers, the team has made some key moves to solidify their roster. With the re-signing of Max Christie and LeBron James, as well as the addition of their draft picks, the Lakers now have a full 15-man roster. This means that any further improvements to the team will have to come via trades.
NBA analyst Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report has recently outlined five potential trades that the Lakers could make to bolster their roster. The question now remains – should the Lakers pull the trigger on these moves?
One potential trade scenario involves acquiring Jerami Grant and Robert Williams from the Portland Trail Blazers. Currently, the Lakers are hovering above the NBA’s second apron at $188.9 million, with Christie and James’ contracts factoring into that figure. However, there are salary restrictions that the Lakers must navigate in any potential trade scenario.
As Pincus explains, “The Lakers can’t take back more salary in a trade than they send out without getting hard-capped at the first apron. Competing executives are keen to exploit these restrictions if the Lakers pursue a deal.”
Both Grant and Williams would address the Lakers’ need for frontcourt depth. Grant, in particular, would bring a valuable scoring punch and defensive versatility to the team. Williams, though plagued by injuries in the past, could provide crucial toughness and defense off the bench if he can stay healthy.
In another potential trade scenario, the Lakers could pursue DeMar DeRozan. This trade would involve sending D’Angelo Russell, Christian Wood, Jalen Hood Schifino, and Rui Hachimura to the Blazers in exchange for DeRozan. The Blazers, who have reportedly been exploring Grant’s market value, may be willing to part ways with Williams and his remaining contract value of $25.6 million.
The Lakers are at a crossroads this offseason, with key decisions to make in order to elevate their team to championship contention once again. As they weigh their options in the trade market, the stakes are high for the purple and gold. Only time will tell if these potential trades will come to fruition and if they will ultimately benefit the Lakers in their quest for another NBA title.
