LA Lakers Rumors: Trae Young part of Lakers’ point guard hunt
The LA Lakers now shift to offseason mode after losing the Western Conference finals to the Denver Nuggets. They have many decisions to make this offseason and do not have a lot of cap space flexibility.
Jovan Buha of the Athletic covers the Lakers and is reporting LA may be targeting Trae Young in a potential trade this offseason. The Lakers have had “internal discussions” about potential trades to bolster their roster as LeBron James ages and may retire.
The Lakers have had "internal discussions" about hypothetical summer trade proposals for Trae Young, per @jovanbuha https://t.co/5i57QZ6xTO
Young would be an interesting candidate. A trade would not be easy as LA would have to match his $40.0 million salary next season to make a trade work. Young has four years left on his current deal, with a player option in the fourth.
LA has $86 million tied up in just James and Anthony Davis next season. They do not have a lot of expiring contracts to send back to Atlanta to make the trade work. It would be unlikely for the LA Lakers to get rid of Davis in a potential deal.
How will LA Lakers roster look next season?
LA will likely have to match big offers to bring back Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves. Both players are unrestricted free agents this summer. Both raised their potential values with solid performances throughout the playoffs, Reaves in particular.
The LA Lakers will be cap restricted in offering Reaves a new deal. Reaves could be in line for a big pay raise this offseason.
He will be a free agent unless the Lakers offer him a $2.2 million qualifying deal. They can also offer him a $11.4 million first-year salary since they hold his Bird rights. The deal would have to be for at least two years.
Reaves will likely get a much larger offer from another team as a free agent. He may have to take less money to return to LA, the place that developed him.
Here are the 2 different paths for the Lakers this offseason: https://t.co/pKv4C3lCLj
The Lakers will also have to make decisions on D’Angelo Russell, Lonnie Walker and Dennis Schroder, who are all free agents this summer. Russell could be involved in a sign and trade for someone like Young. Otherwise he is unlikely to receive an offer from LA to return.
The Lakers also have to decide on Malik Beasley’s team option for $16 million. He did not see the floor much during their playoff run and will likely not return to LA’s roster.
Los Angeles may also target Damian Lillard if Portland decides to trade its superstar and go young this offseason. Lillard has been linked to the LA Lakers previously.