Lakers emerge as a possible touchdown level for the Warriors NBA Champion Initially appeared on Sports activities Athlon.
The Los Angeles Lakers had been occupied this offseason. Though they might have misplaced Dorian Finney-Smith on the Houston Rockets, they touched their zone issues earlier than by signing Deandre Ayton and changed Finney-Smith by Jake Laravia.
Commercial
Lakers could not have completed including extra assist. They might add extra gamers who may also help them, however they might additionally add extra gamers with a championship expertise. They’ve already finished so, and it labored, as once they added Rajon Rondo to their title group in 2019.
LeBron James is the one NBA champion on the record, however they performed gamers who performed within the NBA ultimate, notably Ayton, Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Gabe Vincent, who all performed within the ultimate spherical in a time from 2021 to 2024.
An NBA champion who’s a free agent is Gary Payton II, who received a title with the Golden State Warriors in 2022. Anthony Irwin of clutch factors reported that the Lakers had their eyes on Payton.
Commercial
“There have been whispers connecting Gary Payton II to Lakers earlier than even signing with Invoice Duffy,” wrote Irwin. “I can say safely that he’s very on the Lakers radar.”
Payton collected a mean of 6.5 factors, three rebounds and 0.8 blocks per sport, pulling 57.4% within the subject and 32.6% out of three. He has spent 4 of the final 5 seasons with the Warriors (he signed with Portland in 2022, however was exchanged in mid-season Golden State in 2023).
Commercial
Payton performed for Lakers in the course of the 2017-18 season, enjoying 11 video games in whole earlier than becoming a member of Washington the next season.
Associated: NBA World Pressured for LeBron James Retirement Announcement
This story was initially reported by Sports activities Athlon On July 18, 2025, the place he appeared for the primary time.
