The Lakers‘ decision to stand pat at the trade deadline sets them up for an eventful summer, Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron states in a subscriber-only story. Even with Austin Reaves‘ $20.9MM cap hold (assuming he declines his player option and tests free agency), L.A. has about $47MM in projected cap space, along with the $9.4MM room mid-level exception. That number could be larger if Deandre Ayton ($8.1MM) and Marcus Smart ($5.4MM) decline their player options.
Trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo would be the Lakers’ dream offseason move, but Gozlan is skeptical that they can put together a competitive offer unless Antetokounmpo demands to be dealt to L.A. The team can only trade three future first-round picks this summer, and Gozlan doesn’t believe they can compete with other suitors even if Reaves is included in a sign-and-trade deal.
Gozlan lists numerous potential targets, including Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, who may be too expensive to keep if Denver can’t cut salary elsewhere. Gozlan suggests that Cameron Johnson might become expendable, and the Lakers could have some interest if draft compensation is included.
Gozlan cites center Jalen Duren as another possibility if the Pistons don’t want to meet his salary demands after a breakout season. Gozlan states that it would take an aggressive offer sheet approaching Duren’s annual max salary of $44.6MM to give the Lakers a chance to sign him.
Kawhi Leonard is also worth watching if the NBA decides to void his contract over the Aspiration scandal, Gozlan adds. If the league bans Leonard from playing for the Clippers, Gozlan notes that the Lakers can create enough room to absorb his $50.3MM contract for next season into their cap space while giving their cross-town rivals draft picks and cap relief.
There’s more on the Lakers:
- LeBron James, who has a $52.6MM expiring contract, will be fascinating to watch this summer, Gozlan adds. There has been speculation that he will return to Cleveland to finish his career, but the Cavaliers are projected to be over the second apron again next season and are severely limited in what they can offer. They could clear enough space to use the $6.1MM taxpayer mid-level exception, but Gozlan notes that would only be $2.2MM more than James could earn on a veteran’s minimum deal and he might prefer that the Cavs not weaken their roster with an unnecessary trade. Gozlan suggests a two-year, $8MM agreement that includes a player option and a no-trade clause, pointing out that James would count for a full $3.9MM cap hit if he signs for two seasons, but only $2.5MM if his next contract covers just one year.
- The Lakers honored Pat Riley with a statue unveiling on Sunday, but their performance couldn’t match his fiery tone during a speech to the crowd, notes Benjamin Royer of The Orange County Register (subscription required). Coach JJ Redick called his team “just awful offensively” in the 111-89 loss.
- A steep hike in season ticket prices is being planned for next season, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. The increase comes after Mark Walter agreed to a $10 billion valuation in his purchase of the team.