The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for a crucial offseason as they look to make significant upgrades to their roster. A recent development has the potential to enhance their talent pool and keep star player LeBron James satisfied in Los Angeles.
LeBron James recently exercised his $52.6 million player option, sending a clear message to the Lakers urging them to pursue championship-level talent. His agent, Rich Paul, acknowledged that while the Lakers are planning for the future, LeBron is focused on winning now, emphasizing the need for immediate improvements to the team. As James enters the later stages of his career, he is determined to maximize his remaining seasons by contending for another championship.
An intriguing opportunity has arisen with the Portland Trail Blazers finalizing a buyout of center Deandre Ayton, making him an unrestricted free agent. At only 26 years old, Ayton was the top overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and his addition could address the Lakers’ lack of depth at the center position. While Ayton’s performance can be inconsistent, he offers valuable skills, including an average of 10.5 rebounds and 16.7 points per game along with strong defensive capabilities.
The Lakers face financial limitations as they are hard-capped and nearly $20 million below the first apron, yet they have access to a non-tax midlevel exception worth $14.1 million which could be used to secure Ayton. However, the Lakers must balance their desire to sign Ayton with their intention to retain Dorian Finney-Smith, an unrestricted free agent who might demand a similar salary range.
One potential strategy could involve signing Ayton for a portion of the non-tax MLE, allowing the Lakers to keep Finney-Smith while still making a significant upgrade to their roster. This could result in a starting lineup featuring Luka Dončić, LeBron James, Ayton, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves, accompanied by key rotation players such as Finney-Smith, Gabe Vincent, and Jarred Vanderbilt.
This proposed lineup indicates a step in the right direction for the Lakers and may keep LeBron invested in the organization as they seek to create a competitive team capable of making playoff hopes a reality. With the possibility of making additional moves at the trade deadline, the Lakers could have a solid foundation for the upcoming season.