The Los Angeles Lakers will likely not make an aggressive move ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Lakers’ failure to trade for Keon Ellis prior to the deadline may have been an indicator that they aren’t going to be “super aggressive” in their pursuit of perimeter help.
“The number one guy I knew the Lakers were in on and trying to get was Keon Ellis from the Sacramento Kings, which he’s off the table right now. So, I think that is not a death nail to the Lakers; more so, it is something that is a further indicator that the Lakers are not super aggressive right now in trying to find perimeter additions on the market. I think number one, they absolutely without a doubt, Los Angeles are prioritizing keeping draft or cap space flexibility.”
Fischer went on to say that the Lakers will likely make an aggressive pursuit for perimeter help this summer.
“The Lakers want to prioritize their cap space flexibility for this summer, where there will be young wings like Peyton Watson, Bennedict Mathurin and Tari Eason.”
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Those three players are certainly realistic for the Lakers. This summer, the Lakers have over $40 million expiring contracts consisting of Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber.
The Lakers could do some real damage this summer as they could have up to nearly $50 million in cap space and nearly double that amount by the summer of 2027.
On top of that, the Lakers will have the first three first-rounders available to trade starting on draft night.
Coming into the season, many expected the Lakers to make a big move or two in the pursuit of their 18th championship. However, it appears that the Lakers will punt this season and look to compete after this season. As things stand, Los Angeles sits at 29-19, good for the sixth seed in the loaded Western Conference.
Newsweek