The Los Angeles Lakers started the season strong but cooled off for several months due to inconsistencies. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka wasn’t as aggressive at the trade deadline, seemingly preparing for moves this summer. However, he did make one trade, and it has already paid major dividends.
“The Los Angeles Lakers have acquired guard Luke Kennard from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for guard Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round pick, the team announced on Thursday night,” ESPN wrote.
This summer, the Lakers are exploring free agency, with plenty of cap space to pursue top targets. Their biggest priority is bringing back Austin Reaves, regardless of the cost.
“The Los Angeles Lakers plan to offer Austin Reaves a five-year, $240 million contract this offseason once unrestricted free agency begins, sources told Lakers Daily,” Ashish Mathur of Lakers Daily wrote. “The Lakers have ‘no fear’ of losing the talented undrafted guard, who wants to spend his entire career with the Purple and Gold.”
Los Angeles already has a primary list of targets, but backup options will also be key. One player to watch is Tari Eason of the Houston Rockets.
“Much like Watson's situation with the Denver Nuggets, the reason for Eason's potential exit from the Houston Rockets is simple — money. The Nuggets have a lot of their finances already accounted for at the top of their cap books. The Rockets are in a similar boat. The ray of hope comes from the personnel in Los Angeles. Doncic should open up the perimeter a lot more for Eason than anything in the Houston's offensive system. That should allow the Rockets forward a chance for offensive success,” Lake Show Life’s Syvatoslav Rovenchuk wrote.
The Lakers will be targeting some key names this offseason, and Eason could make a major impact on the defensive end. Additionally, if he can knock down shots consistently, the Lakers’ offense will gain even more spacing.
Los Angeles is aiming to build a dynasty around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Winning the summer will be key to achieving that goal, and it appears that is the team’s current mission.
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