Lakers fantasy land has begun! The 2024-25 season is rapidly approaching, as teams prepare for training camps to close and the preseason to begin. Speculation about Bronny James being drafted by the team was fulfilled this offseason, in addition to re-signing LeBron James to remain in Los Angeles.
However, the team's lack of urgency to improve could haunt them heading into the 2024-25 season. With LeBron James nearing retirement, the Lakers have more work to do to win another title.
The NBA’s composite schedule for NBA preseason games includes seven games that will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, ESPN2 and TNT. pic.twitter.com/kXQkWsHVOs
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) September 10, 2024
The organization has been linked to several offseason targets, both via trade and free agency. However, the Lakers failed to make any significant improvements to a roster lacking championship pieces.
With LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Los Angeles is a near-automatic playoff hopeful every season. Yet, the Lakers have struggled to reach the playoffs in recent memory. Below, a list of trade targets is assessed for the historic franchise, but will the franchise acquire the right player?
Lakers nightmare trade target: Zach LaVine
A priority of the Chicago Bulls offseason, moving Zach LaVine is still in the works for Chicago. The combination of LaVine's contract, injuries, and fit on many rosters has made him a questionable trade target for contenders.
However, a Lakers team needing help for LeBron James and Anthony Davis could use LaVine if they want to compete in the Western Conference. With LeBron James nearing the end of his career, the Lakers have become a hopeful contender with the state of their current roster.
Acquiring LaVine could happen in a variety of trade packages for the Lakers. The most likely trade package for LaVine includes moving D'Angelo Russell, the always-criticized guard. Often in trade conversations, Russell is quite familiar with the 'rumor mill', and another trade could be detrimental to his career trajectory. However, the Lakers would likely have to trade three salaries for LaVine's one ($43 million). Those salaries would be Rui Hachimura and one of Gabe Vincent or Jarred Vanderbilt.
LaVine would serve as an upgrade over Russell offensively but offer no additional value defensively. From a roster construction standpoint, Los Angeles would lose a tremendous amount of depth making a trade like this one, trading three players for one. In the event a deal for LaVine is completed, expect draft compensation, an additional contract, or both to be included by Chicago.