NBA analyst lists Zach LaVine and Trae Young as potential Lakers trade targets for 2024-25 season
The LA Lakers continue to be linked to familiar names like Zach LaVine and Trae Young despite the front office's lack of moves during free agency this summer. Bleacher Report's NBA writer Eric Pincus believes the roster as constructed will need to make a trade or even multiple trades before the trade deadline on Feb. 6.
The Lakers currently have all 15 spots occupied on their roster and are within about $45,000 of the second apron ($188.9 million), that they have been actively avoiding.
Pincus' list also includes players who were and continue to be linked to the Purple and Gold: Jerami Grant (Portland Trail Blazers), Marcus Smart (Memphis Grizzlies), Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz), Jonas Valenciunas (Washington Wizards), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans) and Cam Johnson (Brooklyn Nets). Honorable mentions include Steph Curry and Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors).
Of all the names mentioned, the Lakers did express interest in a few, but none have been penciled into a deal so far. Each of the options comes with its pros and cons, and LA has made its objectives clear: an impactful center as a backup to Anthony Davis and a lethal third-scoring option to add more support in the non-LeBron James and Davis minutes.
However, with the league being funny and unpredictable, it wouldn't be a complete surprise to expect one or two trades to go down.
LA Lakers urged to make Zach LaVine trade by anonymous Western Conference executive
The Lakers have been one of the key teams linked to Zach LaVine since the 2022-23 season after the Chicago Bulls guard's name came up in trade talks. The former UCLA star reportedly did show interest in heading to his hometown team. However, his injury history and a hefty $138 million contract saw LA go cold.
In an earlier report last week, the LA Times' Dan Woike wrote that one Western conference executive believed LaVine would solve the Lakers' issues of scoring and a third superstar. The franchise could look to take on his contract in exchange for assets as they hope to win another title in the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era.
Meanwhile, LA has also been rumored to have an eye on Luka Doncic as the face of the franchise after James' retirement. While the bold take opened to mixed thoughts, the focus firmly remains on this season where LA will look to run it back with their roster.