The Los Angeles Lakers are mired in mediocrity for the third straight season. With new coach JJ Redick on the helm, sporting a roster similar to 2023-24 below Darvin Ham, save for rookie guards Dalton Knecht and Bronny James, Los Angeles is 17-13 this yr and occupies at the moment the sixth seed. the Western Convention.
Second-team All-NBA middle Anthony Davis has been nice. Third-team All-NBA energy ahead LeBron James seems to have regressed when it comes to scoring consistency and is an absolute defensive sieve in his record-tying twenty second NBA season, however he nonetheless stays an All-caliber contributor -Star. Fourth-year guard Austin Reaves has been a strong shooter and passer, however has but to take an enormous step past that. The remainder of the membership is proscribed to one-way gamers, and the group’s weak spot in protection alongside the wing has been significantly obvious.
To compete within the proficient and far youthful West this yr, it is clear Los Angeles must do some kind of roster shakeup by way of commerce.
Cholo Martin Magsino from Fadeaway World is proposing a brand new deal that would carry to Los Angeles a participant the group has usually been linked to: Portland Path Blazers ahead Jerami Grant. Grant is a powerful 3-D wing able to defending capturing guards, small forwards and energy forwards. The 6-foot-7 veteran, 30, is at the moment leaping to the fourth spot in Portland, however given his athletic benefit over James, he would possible be a superb match because the membership’s beginning small ahead.
The Lakers obtain: Jerami Grant
Path Blazers obtain: D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2029 first-round choose (by way of Lakers), 2025 second-round choose (by way of Clippers)
It is no secret that the Lakers would like to do away with Russell’s $18.7 million contract earlier than the commerce deadline, regardless that they’ve had bother discovering a purchaser. The 6-foot-3 Ohio State product started the yr as a starter, however has since been demoted to Redick’s bench. Vanderbilt missed all the season – and far of final season – with worrying accidents to each toes. He underwent offseason surgical procedures to appropriate the issue this summer time. The Lakers declined Hood-Schifino’s third-year group choice, that means he’s additionally on an expiring contract, like Russell.
The actual belongings Portland would get again on this deal are the 2 draft picks. Grant is actually price a first-rounder, however including a second Clippers (who might have strong worth if the Clippers proceed to play so effectively) would sweeten the pot.
Extra Lakers: Lakers reportedly prepared to commerce three first-round picks to construct roster
