Lakers Trade Rumors: Rob Pelinka reportedly interested in bringing back 2 ex-Lakers who played with LeBron James
The LA Lakers are reportedly looking to retool the roster ahead of the trade deadline to boost the supporting cast around LeBron James. Per Jovan Buha of the Athletic, GM Rob Pelinka wanted to stand pat until the team’s 30th game of the season. The Lakers will reach that point when they visit the Golden State Warriors on Christmas day.
Buha added in his report:
“Other names that have come up in talks with team and league personnel over the past few weeks include Utah’s Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton, Toronto’s Bruce Brown Jr., Portland’s Jerami Grant and Robert Williams III and Washington’s Kyle Kuzma.
“The Lakers are not anticipated to be heavily in the mix for Miami’s Jimmy Butler, New Orleans’ Brandon Ingram or Chicago’s Zach LaVine.”
Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram have played with LeBron James in the past. The former might be a more realistic option for LA than the latter. Kuzma is on a team-friendly contract with three more seasons left on his deal. Prying him out of Washington might require at least a second-round pick and a player.
Ingram is undeniably the pricier option than Kuzma. Pelinka would likely have to give up Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and a first-round pick to grease the wheels of a trade. Rui Hachimura is another name that Pelinka could look to move.
LA holds a 14-12 record ahead of their game on Thursday against the Sacramento Kings. The team is 10th in the highly-contested Western Conference. Like the past two seasons, LeBron James and co. might have to earn a playoff spot via the play-in tournament. Pelinka will look to upgrade the roster to prevent the same scenario from happening.
The Lakers could also be looking at the Brooklyn Nets to upgrade the roster
Jovan Buha additionally reported that the LA Lakers have a pressing need for a 3-and-D type player. Cam Reddish is available, but he hasn’t provided much on offense. Jarred Vanderbilt will return from injury, but like Reddish, isn’t known to put pressure on the defense.
To address that need, Rob Pelinka could engage the Brooklyn Nets for a trade. Buha wrote:
“The Brooklyn Nets, who are currently in the Play-In mix in the East, are looking to trade parts of their core to prioritize their future. After trading Schröder, Brooklyn is expected to make wings Cam Johnson ($22.5 million but with a likely cap hit of $27 million) and Dorian Finney-Smith ($14.9 million) available — and much sooner than the Feb. 6 deadline.
“Both have been tied to the Lakers for months. The Lakers have been interested in Finney-Smith for at least a couple of years.”
Cam Johnson will be difficult to pry from the Brooklyn Nets as he has a few years remaining in his contract. Dorian Finney-Smith might be available if Pelinka can outbid multiple pursuers. The Nets could recoup assets by trading DFS, who is expected to exercise his $15.3 million player option next season.
Finney-Smith is a solid defender, averaging 11.0 points per game on 47.6% shooting, including 45.0% from deep. He ticks the boxes of the Lakers’ need on the wings. Rob Pelinka could go for him to boost LeBron James’ supporting cast.