Doncic stamped himself as a Laker for the foreseeable future when he signed a three-year contract extension last summer, making him the focal point of the organization starting with the upcoming season.
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Every decision that Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka has made since the Slovenian star entered the fold – combined with the ownership transition from the Buss family to Mark Walter – has seemingly been influenced by the mindset of surrounding Doncic with the best team possible.
Improving in the frontcourt – after the Lakers were swept out of the second round of the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder – and refining the edges of the roster could help the Doncic-led roster close the gap on the league’s best teams during his second full season with the team.
The free agency free-for-all officially begins Tuesday, allowing the Lakers to add from that talent pool, but it’s already open season for trades. Sign-and-trade deals could be on the table – particularly involving coveted restricted free agents such as Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler and Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren – but the Lakers could also go that route to bring in players who could boost the their depth through other franchise’s salary-cap conundrums.
Starting with Kessler, the 7-foot-2 big man has proven himself to be an elite shot blocker (averaging 2.4 blocks per game during his four NBA seasons) and a great offensive rebounder, leading the league with 4.6 offensive boards per game in limited action last season. The Athletic reported last week that Kessler – who missed all but five games last season with a torn labrum – was “at odds” with the Jazz over their handling of his restricted free agency case.
The likelihood that the Jazz would let Kessler walk without compensation is relatively low – leading to the possibility of a sign-and-trade deal that could send the 2022 first-round draft pick to the Lakers.
When it comes to assets the Lakers can offer the Jazz or any team, they have their 2031 and 2033 first-round picks to help make a proposal more appealing. Player-wise, the Lakers are don’t have a lot of options to include in trades.
Forward Jarred Vanderbilt is owed more than $25 million over the next two years, and would likely require picks attached to him in any trade scenario. Guard Dalton Knecht was the Lakers’ 2024 first-round pick, but the 6-6 wing finished last season entirely out of the rotation and would be difficult to swap for a player the Lakers would deem a better fit for the season ahead.
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A third team getting involved could help the Lakers when it comes to trades for Kessler or Detroit’s Duren – helping to improve a package that could bring All-Star-level talent to Los Angeles.
The Athletic also reported earlier this week that extension talks stalled between the Pistons and Duren, the 6-10 post who is coming off his best offensive season – 19.5 points per game on 65% shooting to go with 10.5 rebounds per game.
The price tags for Kessler or Duren would be astronomically high compared to the salary Deandre Ayton would either garner through picking up his player option ($8.1 million, which has a deadline of Monday) or what he would receive on the open market.
Other trade targets could include guard Christian Braun or forward Cameron Johnson from the Denver Nuggets, helping their Western Conference rivals carve out room to bring back forward Peyton Watson, who is a restricted free agent. Adding Braun or Johnson would improve the Lakers’ depth.
Lastly, there is the ever-present LeBron James question: Will he play for the Lakers next season, and if not, will he suit up for someone else or retire? James, as well as Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, have been tight-lipped about James’ future since the Lakers’ season ended.
In potential sign-and-trade scenarios involving James, his return to Cleveland to play for the Cavaliers could involve 6-9 center Jarrett Allen, among the league’s best big men at 28 years old, landing with the Lakers.
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