In the wake of the failed acquisition of Keon Ellis, the Lakers are reportedly prioritizing cap space, in which the likes of Peyton Watson, Ben Mathurin and Tari Eason could be their targets.
In his Bleacher Report livestream on Monday, NBA insider Jake Fischer revealed that the Los Angeles Lakers' failed trade pursuit for Keon Ellis, who was sent by the Sacramento Kings to the Cleveland Cavaliers, is a "further indicator" that the ball club isn't acting aggressively to add a perimeter presence.
Los Angeles Lakers / Schedule
For this, the Lakers are leaning on cap flexibility and keeping their draft picks intact, in which they are reportedly aiming to sign potential complementary pieces in the offseason.
"The Lakers want to prioritize their cap space flexibility for this summer, where there will be young wings like Peyton Watson, Bennedict Mathurin, Tari Eason from Houston—other potential opportunities to add on the wing in between Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and DeAndre Ayton," Fischer noted.
"The Lakers do not want to just trade for a guy like De'Andre Hunter, who's got future salary. They do not just want to add a Michael Porter Jr., who's got future salary and also pay draft capital to make that happen. I think the Lakers are going to be more patient, look more on the edges, and find something that would help them improve without really sending out too much of a major haul."
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