In quest of a third star to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers will have a difficult choice this offseason.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey made a daring prediction for the offseason: the Lakers won’t trade for Trae Young. If the Atlanta Hawks move Young, a number of players are thought to be interested in joining the Lakers. Bailey thinks the Lakers won’t be that group.
“The reasoning is not too complex. Young is a celebrity. With Dejounte Murray, he didn’t get along over the previous two seasons. In the past, the Lakers have enjoyed going star-hunting, and they were eliminated in the first round,” Bailey wrote on May 11.
“There is undoubtedly a scenario in which Young could function in Los Angeles. He’s one of the pick-and-roll ball handlers and most explosive offensive players in the game. He and Anthony Davis might combine to create a formidable one-two combo that might continue when LeBron James retires.
“However, the larger Denver Nuggets intimidated the Lakers during the playoffs. In the second round, the larger Minnesota Timberwolves are now bullying the Nuggets. It’s difficult to see this postseason and believe that making L.A. smaller and putting greater emphasis on offense will solve all of its problems.
Los Angeles Lakers Wants to Relocate Draft Picks to Improve Their Team.
The Los Angeles Lakers have two additional tradeable first-round selections and the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft. They should be able to sign someone this offseason because they have three selections and a young player like Austin Reaves with other movable contracts, and that is the goal, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
On May 10, Buha stated he anticipated the Lakers to trade for that choice in order to improve their lineup.
“It’s a great chance for them to possibly acquire a third star or to improve the roster by attaching one, two, or three of those picks alongside players under contract to upgrade the starting lineup or the bench,” Buha said.”It will be the first time that they could use all three of their tradable first-round picks.”
However, this is the first time they’ll have many picks available, and from what I’ve heard, they’ll be aggressive.
Buha stated that there are a lot of options available to them and that it’s unclear what they’ll decide to do, mentioning Young. It is unclear if it will be a large move, such as a trade for Donovan Mitchell or Trae Young, or a smaller one, like adding a 3-and-D wing or another big man.
On draft night, the Lakers will consider their options.” stated Buha. “It seems like they’ll try to use that pick and be aggressive and active.”
