As the Lakers weigh their offseason options, one path they will seriously consider is packaging players and draft picks to attempt to acquire a third star to play alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Within the last year, star guards like Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, and Zach LaVine have been mentioned as possible targets for Los Angeles, but Jovan Buha of The Athletic (YouTube link) says another name will likely be at the top of the team’s wish list entering the summer.
“If the Lakers go down the three-star path, and it’s still unclear — I think they’re going to kick the can down the road and see the possibility and see what the asking price is. There are teams that can outbid them if they get into a bidding war,” Buha said in an episode of Buha’s Block. “But if they do go down that road and at least explore it, (Cavaliers guard) Donovan Mitchell would be the preferred guy.”
There’s no guarantee that Mitchell will be available this summer, since the Cavs hope to sign him to a long-term extension. If Mitchell turns down that offer and ends up on the trade block, the Lakers would have plenty of competition for the five-time All-Star and wouldn’t necessarily be able to offer the best package, as Buha notes. L.A. would be able to offer up to three first-round picks alongside perhaps guard Austin Reaves, forward Rui Hachimura, and other salary-matching pieces.
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- Echoing previous reports, Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times says people around the NBA view J.J. Redick as the favorite in the Lakers’ head coaching search. Opinions on Redick’s potential as a coach are split, with some high on his upside due to his understanding of the game and his ability to clearly communicate ideas, while others “see nothing but inexperience” or believe his business relationship with LeBron James would have a negative impact on the locker room, Woike writes. Sources tell The Times that one reason Redick is viewed as a frontrunner is a widespread belief that he’ll have “incredibly strong” interviews.
- Within that same L.A. Times story, Woike explores the likelihood of LeBron remaining with the Lakers (his sources believe it’ll happen), discusses the team’s top trade targets (he says none of Young, Murray, LaVine, and Brandon Ingram were seriously linked to the Lakers at the combine), and mentions the team’s ongoing fondness for Reaves. According to Woike, the Lakers regard Reaves highly as a “prospect for the future” on a team-friendly contract.
- Shams Charania of The Athletic is among the reporters to stress that drafting Bronny James won’t offer a team any assurances of having a shot at his superstar father. “It would not surprise me in the coming weeks if a team does reach out to (agent) Rich Paul – or anyone else around Bronny James, (including) LeBron James himself – and says, ‘Hey, if we draft Bronny James, would you come as well, LeBron?'” Charania said on the Up & Adams Show (Twitter video link). “And the answer to that is going to be no, as of right now. That’s not a given, that’s not something that’s going to be preordained.” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said earlier in the week that Paul has made a concerted effort to dispel the idea that his father-and-son clients need to play together.
- The Lakers announced on Friday (via Twitter) that they’ll host three preseason games outside of Los Angeles in the fall. The Lakers will play the visiting Timberwolves on October 4 and the Suns on Oct. 6 at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs before facing the Warriors on Oct. 15 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Mortgage depth for a “big three”. Ah yes, the massively successful Phoenix approach. I can smell the championship now.
Suns big 3 don’t compliment each other at all. LeBron, AD with a top guard would work great
Yeah, but what else would they have? You’re correct that suns big 3 overlap regarding position and skillset, but they’re also hampered by a lack of depth due to their 3 massive contacts.
If lakers get a third guy they will have to lose what little depth they have, including reaves, hachimura, etc. Big 3 with no depth will get them nowhere. They already lack depth as is.
Wolves have 3 players basically on the max and it’s working out fine for them. Nuggets too
Extensions for Edwards and McDaniels haven’t kicked in yet. They will probably have to trade towns this summer for cap reasons.
Denver similarly may have to trade porter. Nuggets shouldn’t be a case study for other teams tho because they have the best player on earth. If suns had jokic they’re a very different team.
@ben – Nugs can stay under apron 2 by letting Kcp walk – I think that’s a more viable option than a Porter trade
Still lean Nugs just gulp and sign Kcp and live with being an apron 2 team for the next 3 + years but if they feel Kcp is slipping a bit they could just bail in the name of future flexibility
Good point. They certainly might go that route, but I think they might be inclined to trade porter regardless because he’s culturally not a seamless fit with them.
They may still want to replace KCP but I think Joker/Jamal/AG is enough primary firepower that they may be better off spreading the rest of their money over multiple guys who will fit their identity and give them more depth.
Where are the rings
Bron for Mitchell. I’m sure Cavs will jump at Vincent and Reeves for Mitchell.
The current CBA doesn’t expressly prohibit the big 3 (aka 3 max) approach, but it might as well. LAL have actually done pretty well when they’ve stayed away from this approach. But, perhaps like a drug addict, they simply can’t resist going back there. Need to just say no.
Agreed , maybe catch a AA meeting for support – Jim Buss certainly knows where many are staged
Hmmmm. LaVine to Lakers might be a move both teams are desperate enough to do… who says no first:
Lakers get : LaVine, 2nd rounder
Bulls get : Reaves, Rui, Vincent, 29’ top 6 protected – coveys the following year if protected
Bulls do this in a heartbeat. I would be shocked if lakers give up reaves for Zach. Maybe if Carusos in it too
Okay what if Bulls have to include a lottery protected first? Does that turn them off of deal? The crop of Lakers player aren’t exactly pieces for a rebuild
Yeah I don’t think they’d be eager to attach picks to lavine. But they have to trade him this summer. So I don’t think they’re gonna get a haul, I’d even take reaves and filler straight up to dump Zach’s contract. It’s almost as bad as Neal’s and
** beal’s and they need to move him before enough teams realize that
Bad fit.
Lakers should move AD to OKC for a big haul of first and start over. If James doesn’t option out trade him too.
If I’m the Cavs, a package for Mitchell built around Reaves and/or Hachimura and three picks that would likely be in the late lottery or the 15-20 range wouldn’t interest me at all
Hey if we draft your shi*ty kid will you come play for us? Lmao
On his worst day that “shi*ty kid” blows you out of the water on your best. You do appear to be far superior to him in talking trash about a kid on the internet like a clown. So congratulations on your success in that department.
Bronny is less than g league friend.
LeBron is too much of a ham to leave Hollywood.
A big 3 to the Lakers only works if LeBron opts out and takes an old man pay cut…
If I’m any team why help the Lakers and LBJ win? No one should help the Lakers get back on track.