Los Angeles Lakers fans are no doubt watching the NBA Playoffs and wondering how their team can get back to the Finals. That begins this summer with them having a chance to build around recently acquired star Luka Dončić as well as LeBron James.
Doing so could prove tricky, however, with LeBron James already reportedly ruling out taking a pay cut. They would have been able to use their full $14.1 million midlevel exception to add a veteran or two to solidify their roster.
With that seemingly out of the question, they can rely on the $5.6 million taxpayer MLE to add a starting center in addition to making a big trade this summer. While the Lakers haven't been linked to Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, perhaps they should, given his history with LeBron.
The Lakers have an outside chance at landing Kevin Durant
A hypothetical Durant-to-the-Lakers trade would include the Lakers sending out Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Dorian Finney-Smith, Dalton Knecht, and Maxi Kleber. Additionally, a 2031 unprotected first and a 2032 pick swap would be included in a three-team deal with the Brooklyn Nets.
Phoenix would get Hachimura, Finney-Smith, Vincent, and the aforementioned picks. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Nets would take back Kleber's expiring contract in exchange for Knecht, who was the 18th pick in last year's draft.
LeBron's and Durant's paths have crossed many times, but they have never teamed up in the NBA. This summer could be the last chance for them to do so.
Still, there would need to be some things that go right for the Lakers for them to enter the Durant sweepstakes. One may have just happened with The Athletic's Kelly Iko mentioning that the Suns may have just lowered their price for Durant.
Will the Los Angeles Lakers land Kevin Durant?
If true, then that could open things up for several teams, such as the Lakers, who weren't previously seen as landing spots. Of course, teams such as the Houston Rockets, who own several of the Suns' picks, and the San Antonio Spurs, who have the 14th overall pick in this year's draft to offer as well as young talent, would be preferable options for Phoenix.
Even so, Durant is entering the final year of his contract. He could spook teams by having his agent tell a team he doesn't approve of that he won't sign an extension were he traded there. That means that he could technically force his way to the Lakers if he wanted.
Ultimately, the Lakers could potentially enter the Durant sweepstakes. They will have to sacrifice depth and their last remaining assets, but if Durant wants to play in L.A., it's technically possible.