With about a month to go until training camp begins for the 2024-25 NBA season, the The Los Angeles Lakers They still haven’t signed any players from other teams this offseason. Time is running out for them to make a move that would bring them closer to being title contenders again.
They failed on virtually all of their targeted free agents this summer. One of them was center Jonas Valanciunaswho chose to sign with the Washington Wizards.
Valanciunas’ choice for the Wizards over the Lakers must have been even more painful, considering the Wizards are arguably the worst team in the NBA. But there are rumors that Los Angeles’ pursuit of him may not be over.
Jovan Buha of The Athletic said in a recent episode of “Buha’s Block” that he thinks the Purple and Gold “will probably reconsider” acquiring him, in part because he was on the roster LeBron James I wanted them to land (h/t Lakers Daily).
“There was some interest, obviously,” Buha said of Valanciunas. “He was on LeBron’s list, so I think the Lakers will probably go back to him. But I don’t think there’s as much interest as a guy like a Wendell Carter or some of these other guys that have come out. So I see him as more of a mid to low level trade target for them.
Many people believe the Lakers need another defensive center to become an elite team. Valanciunas may not be a perfect fit, as he’s not much of a shot blocker or rim protector, but he’s a big guy who needs to be considered.
Last season, he averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocked shots in 23.5 minutes per game for the The New Orleans PelicansHe’s not a great three-point shooter, but he can make threes occasionally, which means teams have to defend him on the perimeter. That would, at least in theory, open the doors of offense for LeBron James. Anthony Davis and others in LA’s half-court sets and even in its secondary break.
The Lithuanian native signed for three years and $30.3 million in July, so he might not be an expensive option for Los Angeles. But as Buha mentioned, Carter, who is younger and a better 3-point shooter, might be higher on his wish list.
This article was originally published on LeBron Wire: Jovan Buha Says Lakers Will Go After Jonas Valanciunas Again
