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Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka speaks to the media. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers will be rooting against the Oklahoma City Thunder this season to help their chances of acquiring talent in the offseason. All reports indicate that the Lakers are hoping to make a big splash this summer via free agency and the trade market. Cap space opening up will allow General Manager Rob Pelinka to target players with stronger defensive skills to make up for the team’s weaknesses.
Third Apron’s Yossi Gozlan reports that the Lakers have interest in two players on the Thunder roster if Oklahoma City fails to win the NBA Championship:
“The Lakers (and 28 other teams) are likely hoping for an early Thunder playoff exit, which could lead to a reduction in roster expenses next year. Hartenstein and Lu Dort would be fantastic additions to the Lakers in free agency if their team options were declined.”
Both Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort were named as dream targets for the Lakers to improve their roster. Hartenstein would be a massive upgrade at center over DeAndre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes. Dort is considered one of the best wing defenders in the league and would give the Lakers a realistic option to guard the opposing team’s best player most nights.
Thunder Must Lose For Lakers To Win
The tricky contract situation in Oklahoma City is the main reason why the Lakers even have a chance to acquire one or both names in the offseason. Dort and Hartenstein each have team options that will see the Thunder getting to decide their future.
Both names are too valuable to let walk for nothing, so Oklahoma City will either keep them for one more season or pull off a trade to another team hoping to secure them long-term. Thunder management secured the “big three” of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams with max contracts to limit their spending moving forward.
It remains unlikely for Oklahoma City to pay talents like Hartenstein and Dort their market value on a new deal. The Lakers need the Thunder to lose in the playoffs and punt on these players, like the Boston Celtics did last offseason with multiple trades for cap flexibility.
LeBron Likely Leaves Lakers In This Scenario
The future of LeBron James remains a top topic for the Lakers this season. Pelinka hopes to build the roster around new superstar Luka Doncic’s strengths to make up for his flaws. Austin Reaves has a player option and is most likely to get a big contract extension as the team’s second star.
James ends up being the odd man out, unless he is willing to take a big pay cut and play for a cheaper contract. Opposing teams hoping to add LeBron for a potential retirement tour will make it harder for the Lakers to retain him at their desired price.
However, true title contention is the only way to convince him. The Lakers making a trade for Hartenstein or Dort could be enough to tempt James to stay. Both of those difference makers are stronger on defense with offensive limitations, so the Lakers would still rely on LeBron to contribute offensively at a high level.