D.J. Augustin could be an option for the Lakers as they seek help at point guard, writes Sean Deveney of Heavy. A source tells Deveney the team would be the front-runner to land Darren Collison if he’s serious about returning to the NBA, but the Lakers’ front office is exploring other options as well.
LeBron James has been handling most of the point guard duties, with help from 33-year-old Rajon Rondo and combo guards Alex Caruso and Avery Bradley. Offseason addition Quinn Cook has fallen out of the rotation.
Augustin, who has an expiring $7.25MM contract, would provide a more dependable option in the postseason. Deveney speculates that he might be available if the Magic decide to point toward next season after this week’s injury to Jonathan Isaac, particularly now that Markelle Fultz replaced Augustin as a starter. The Lakers don’t have a second-round pick to offer until 2023, but Deveney notes they do have Talen Horton-Tucker, who was drafted by Orlando last year.
There’s more Lakers news to pass along:
- Collison, who said he wants to join one of the L.A. teams, would be the Lakers’ best option if he has kept his game sharp during his brief retirement, writes Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. Pincus points out that Collison spent the 2013/14 season with the Clippers, but also played for Lakers coach Frank Vogel in Indiana.
- Rondo said he was convinced to spend another year with the Lakers after the organization acquired two of his former teammates by trading for Anthony Davis and signing DeMarcus Cousins, relays Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register. Cousins, who hasn’t played because of injury, was especially important, with Rondo telling general manager Rob Pelinka during free agency, “If you go grab Cous, you got me.”
- The Lakers have started listening to trade offers involving Kyle Kuzma, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. After hearing his name included in numerous rumors during his first two NBA seasons, Kuzma feels ready for whatever happens, tweets Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “I’ve been in trade rumors ever since I came here,” Kuzma said. “I think that’s just a thing that happens when you’re a Laker. You’re always in trade rumors, especially in this time, so it doesn’t really matter at the end of the day. Just control what you can control.”
I can honestly see the Lakers doing some terrible Kuzma trade, like another Zubac for Muscala. Come on Rob theres no reason to trade him.
That was magic who did that trade! Plus the man traded Lou Williams. To the clippers no less! Magic doing his Jerry west thing helping the clippers!
Lou was traded from the Lakers to the Rockets. He went to the Clippers in the CP3 deal
Well that was all on magic. This is a different team with Rob. Look what he did so far without magic
He’s gone if LEBRON says so
Lou Will traded to Houston at a time when they had lil future assets and season going nowhere
Without that cap space a lot of current moves don’t happen
Lakers shouldn’t be looking to trade Kuzma he’s the only good young player thy have left after trading Ball, Hart, Ingram and letting Randle and Nance both leave. Especially considering the scoring he gives your second unit which struggles to score.
I think the Lakers should instead of looking for an experienced PG to help them this year should be looking at how cheap they can pick Dennis Smith JR up for.
DSJ had a good rookie year when he didn’t have pressure to be good and I think DSJ would build a lot of confidence under leaders like LBJ, AD, Rondo and those vets. He wouldn’t cost more than two second rounders and has huge potential. At a worse case situation he would be a good addition to the second unit for some scoring but could potentially develop into the teams future PG.
DSJ is a horrible idea for the Lakers he shows no flashes of being a good piece on a contender. They need win now guys.
Don’t think he’s horrible at all. They already have a bunch of 1 year vets to win now but not much long term pieces. Other than Kuzma, AD and a couple second round rookies they don’t have much young talent. DSJ has shown glimpses of being a good small minutes impact player, and I think he would develop well under LBJ and Rondo.
DSJ wouldn’t cost much at all and could be a really good investment.
Collison is the best option in my opinion to fill the point guard role for the Lakers. He won’t cost them any kind of draft assets and will also not cost much money, probably the $1.75 million injured player exception they have. He can fill the role of ball distributor when LeBron is off the floor and I believe shot over 40% from three last year. As far as Kuzma goes you’re not going to be able to get a player of equal talent as him because he makes such a small amount, around $2 million I think, hold onto him and keep letting him develop. He has shown the ability to be a good scorer off the bench the last 5-7 games.
Kuzma is not a starter; if another team values him, he could move; not a fit.
Augustin would be a good add and probably would be their best PG despite the depth.
Augustin could go for Bradley & Tucker… this works tecnically. Depends on if Orlando values Tucker at all. Augustin is basically a backup now & may leave anyway in the offseason.
Trading locked-up Fournier for Kuzma would take including four other Lakers… Cousins, Dudley, Tucker, & Bradley. Unlikely. If only the Lakers had not signed Pope, who can refuse.
Um Horton-Tucker was drafted by ORL as a proxy for the Lakers, due to their trade agreement. It’s a stretch to say because of that that they’re long-interested in him.