Dwight Howard appears to be a strong candidate to rejoin the Lakers, who are also interested in veteran shooters Patty Mills and Wayne Ellington, according to Marc Stein of Substack. L.A. is looking for low-cost options to fill out its roster after the trade that brought Russell Westbrook from the Wizards, and Howard, Mills and Ellington may be willing to accept minimal deals for the chance to play for a title contender.
Given their financial position, the Lakers could have trouble holding onto Alex Caruso, Stein adds. The fourth-year guard has been effective in a bench role during his time in Los Angeles, and many teams are expected to pursue him.
There’s more from Stein:
- The Celtics are interested in bringing back Isaiah Thomas, who was an All-Star in Boston before being sent out in the Kyrie Irving trade. New president of basketball operations Brad Stevens is a strong supporter of Thomas, who played three games for the Pelicans last season.
- The Kings are expected to give center Richaun Holmes an offer in the four-year, $50MM range. However, he may do better on the open market after back-to-back strong seasons in Sacramento.
- Several teams would like to add Bobby Portis, but there’s a belief around the league that he will stay with the Bucks despite their limited resources to re-sign him.
- The Mavericks are virtually certain to keep center Boban Marjanović, who is a close friend of Luka Doncic.
- There were some pre-draft trade rumors involving Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but the Thunder still see him as a franchise cornerstone and plan to use their draft capital to build around him. Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to receive a maximum extension on his rookie contract this summer, which would pay him $168MM over five years.
- John Collins was the top target for the Spurs, who will have about $40MM to spend, but now that he’s expected to stay in Atlanta, San Antonio may shift to restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen.
As infrequently as Boban sees the court, the Mavs must be bringing him back for the veteran minimum.
He’s one of those guys everyone loves, except John Wick.
Markkanen sign and trade for Dejaunte Murray
Patty Mills @ PG more likely
No. He’s trash. Bulls would let him go if that’s the case.
Spurs wouldn’t trade Murray for Markkanen. That’s insane.
Obviously
Dude why would the Spurs trade us Murray for markannen when there is no chance bulls even want markannen back? He doesn’t fit our roster anymore and I’m tired of seeing him be 7 ft and play like a soft guard
Lakers possibly looking like
1. Russ. Mills
2. Mathews. Ellington
3. Bron. Gay. McKinnie
4. AD. Melo. Dudley
5. Gasol. Howard
Bron to get ring number 5 ?
The only ring LeBron gonna get is a LifeAlert when one of his teammates falls on the court and can’t get up
If Russ is even worse than Simmons, no way will LA win it all.
Bet on the Lakers to win the championship if you want to lose $$$.
Roster for a old timers league. Will definitely need to get their stretching in before games.
Would be pretty tough to beat team.
If everyone is fit which is a big if, then I can’t see the Suns, Nuggets, Mavs or Jazz coming close to stopping them. Leaving GSW and the clippers as the only competition that would give them major issues.
Maybe you need glasses then. Or a time machine.
I could see the Lakers going for Melo, Wayne Ellington, and Ariza…they need a shooter at the 2, and 2 3 and D wing players, and Melo replaces Kuzma at the backup 4 behind Lebron. If they could land a 3 and D wing piece or a shooter at the 2 in a sign and trade with someone for Schroder, that’s probably the play. And then a depth big behind Davis and Gasol that can protect the rim and defend pick and roll. Doubt Dwight would want such a limited, matchup based, inconsistent role, but there are others out there for that spot. He would obviously fit, if he wants it for some reason
Losing Caruso as a backup guard is tough, but if they can keep THT, he can help them retain the defense at those guard spots, and then probably go with a low cost guy that can score/shoot it as depth. Patty mills would fit that, but I dont think they have enough to sign him, but I could be wrong. IT might actually make sense in that role, if he were healthy, although there should be other available options
Wolves should look into Richaun Holmes…..Although Naz Reid has looked better and better each year.
Way too expensive Wolves have to move Hernangomez maybe Culver who have no value now
Earlier article didn’t state the potential payout to Holmes. I agree MN cannot pay that kind of contract to Holmes…..at least without getting rid of other $$$$ and yes , Culvers worthless.
02 Sacramento kings got jobbed and it’s been downhill ever since
I would think players would get more joy beating LBJ then joining him. I guess not
Give me all of IT in Boston again