The Los Angeles Lakers have decided to take a patient approach this season, choosing not to make any moves before the trade deadline. Despite rumors suggesting that they wanted to trade D’Angelo Russell, the Lakers opted to stick with their current roster. However, this decision positions them well for potential big deals in the upcoming offseason.
According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Lakers are expected to have three tradable first-round picks this summer, giving them the ammunition needed to land a star player. Buha reports that three potential targets for the Lakers are Kyrie Irving, Trae Young, and Donovan Mitchell.
The Lakers have long been interested in Irving, and they almost acquired him at last season’s deadline. Although Irving re-signed with the Dallas Mavericks this summer, it doesn’t mean that a trade is out of the question. The Mavericks may be willing to make a deal if the Lakers offer enough draft picks. Irving has a history of playing alongside LeBron James in Cleveland, where they won a championship together in 2016. A reunion between the two wouldn’t be surprising, but it’s worth noting that Irving has dealt with injuries this season, causing him to miss 22 games.
Young would be an interesting pivot for the Lakers, considering they were previously trying to trade for his backcourt partner, Dejounte Murray. However, rumors have circulated that Young may be available via trade this summer. Landing Young would provide the Lakers with the scoring injection they’ve been looking for to complement James and Anthony Davis. At only 25 years old, Young would also be a valuable asset for the Lakers in case James leaves in the future.
If Mitchell becomes available, the New York Knicks would likely be the most aggressive team in pursuing him. The Knicks have shown interest in Mitchell before when he asked to be traded from the Utah Jazz. With their recent savvy moves and their position as the fourth team in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks have the assets to facilitate a trade for Mitchell. The Lakers would need to put together a strong package to contend with teams like the Knicks or the Philadelphia 76ers, who can also offer attractive trade packages.
Regardless of their target, it’s clear that the Lakers plan to be active players in the offseason. Their inaction at the trade deadline does not reflect a lack of ambition. Instead, they are positioning themselves to make a big move that could elevate them back into the conversation of championship contenders. Only time will tell if their aggressiveness pays off and if they can secure a star player to bolster their roster.
