The Los Angeles Lakers came out of the 2024 NBA Draft with a decent haul of Dalton Knecht and Bronny James as its first- and second-round selections, plus two undrafted prospects agreeing to two-way deals. Now, the Lakers look towards free agency or trades to top off their roster that will complement the core of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Austin Reaves under new head coach JJ Redick.
Coming off a disappointing end to the 2023-24 season, the Lakers will seek to plug holes during free agency in the frontcourt and perimeter shooting, as well as getting prime role players off the bench to complement a strong duo of James and Davis.
Lakers looking at veteran big men to shore up frontcourt
During the 2024 NBA Draft, the Lakers missed out on centers Zach Edey and Ke’lel Ware, who were both drafted in earlier selections. However, this may have been a stroke of luck as it allowed them to pick Dalton Knecht, a selection that may have well been a Lakers draft steal. Now the Lakers look towards free agency to snag serviceable big men to help shore up their front court.
Two veteran big men are linked to the Lakers which may help their frontline. They include unrestricted free agent Jonas Valanciunas and Portland Trail Blazers Jerami Grant, who has three years remaining in his contract.
Valanciunas started all 82 games last season and averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. Meanwhile, Grant started all of his 54 games last season, posting per-game averages of 21.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks. He is also shooting 40.2% from beyond the three-point arc, which may also help the Lakers in their floor spacing on offense.
Dejounte Murray, Colin Sexton possible Lakers' trade targets for backcourt
Dejounte Murray may end up with the Lakers after a lengthy pursuit dating back to last season's trade deadline, and his two-way play may prove invaluable with coach JJ Redick at the helm.
In his second season with the Hawks, Murray posted per-game norms of 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.4 steals in 35.7 minutes per game across 78 starts. He also shot 45.9% from the field, including 36.3% from three-point range.
The Hawks have been on the fence on whether to keep Trae Young or Dejounte Murray as its lead guard. But the decision may have been made easier for the Hawks with the Lakers maintaining the same level of interest in acquiring Murray to bolster their backcourt.
Previously, it was also reported that Trae Young was on the Lakers trade rumors, but the odds of him landing in Los Angeles significantly dropped after changing representation to CAA from Klutch Sports.
Meanwhile, Utah Jazz guard Colin Sexton was also tossed as a potential trade target for the Lakers, which would help in their thin point guard rotation.
The sixth-year veteran Sexton played 78 games with the Jazz this past season, averaging 18.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 0.8 steals. He also normed 48.7% from the field, his second-best shooting average for his career, including a career-high 39.4% from three-point distance.
Currently, the Lakers point guard rotation includes D'Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and Spencer Dinwiddie, who is on an expiring contract.
Cam Johnson may add depth to Lakers wings
The Brooklyn Nets signaled they are undertaking a massive rebuild after trading away Mikal Bridges to the New York Knicks, and the fire sale may continue with the rest of their roster. Among the talent in the Nets pool that may be of note for the Lakers would be Cam Johnson.
Johnson may add some firepower to the Lakers offense, which is in need of more perimeter scoring options outside of Austin Reaves and the occasional mid- to long-range jumpers from Anthony Davis.
Last season, Johnson shot 39.1% from three-point distance for 44.6% overall shooting, en route to 13.4 points per game. He also averaged 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in his first full season with the Nets after being part of a trade deadline deal that involved Kevin Durant.
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