As the NBA Trade Deadline approaches, the Lakers still haven’t moved on the transfer market. And the further we go, the more we have the impression that general manager Robert Pelinka will remain idly by. All that to better strike at the next Free Agency?
We said it once more very recently, except for a big transfer to recover a player of the caliber of Zach LaVine or Bradley Beal, the Lakers should not let go of their 2027 and 2029 first-round draft picks by February 9. Obviously, Rob Pelinka would rather bet on the free agent market in 2023 to really strengthen its workforce, even if it means sacrificing the current season.
???? The Lakers would have their eyes on Free Agency 2023 with 2 main targets.
Draymond Green
Kyrie IrvingWith the end of the contract of Russell Westbrook and a major part of the workforce, the management would like to do everything to sign one of the two stars this summer. pic.twitter.com/QuaERX6epQ
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) January 10, 2023
Why Free Agency 2023? Because the Lakers will greatly gain in flexibility thanks to the end of contract for Russell Westbrook. More than $47 million will thus be freed up in the franchise’s payroll, and much more knowing that other Los Angeles players will become free agents. Indeed, next summer, only LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Max Christie will be under contract for a total of 89 million green tickets, while Damian Jones has a player option and Austin Reaves will be a restricted free agent. What open real possibilities to strengthen the workforce around the duo of superstars LeBron – AD.
And next summer, two big names that have often been linked with the Lakers will normally hit the market: Kyrie Irving et Draymond Green.
- The first is coming to the end of his contract with the Nets and even if recent rumors from the corridor favor the scenario of an extension, nothing is done in Brooklyn. Especially with Uncle Drew. Especially when you know Kyrie’s history with the New York franchise. In addition, we remember the big rumors sending Irving to Los Angeles last summer to find LeBron James, with whom he won his only NBA title in 2016 in Cleveland.
- The second is also coming to the end of his deal with Golden State, although he has a $27 million player option for next season. As the Warriors pulled out the checkbook to secure Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins in the offseason, Draymond seems destined to become a free agent in a few months. When we know how much Green has praised LeBron for several weeks, when we know the close relationship between the two and the fact that they are each represented by Klutch Sports, we say to ourselves that the scenario of an arrival of Dray in Los Angeles is not disconcerting at all. In addition it would allow Green to establish itself even more in the NBA media universe, a goal clearly displayed by the Warriors player on the sidelines.
In theory, it holds. In practice ? We want to see.
The Free Agency does not guarantee anything, and not sure at all that LeBron James validates this strategy which is to sacrifice the current season to try to bounce back better next year. Let’s not forget that the King can also become a free agent in 2024 if the Lakers do not advance. There have been rumors outright that some franchises are preparing for a scenario in which James seeks a transfer in the summer of 2023.
So be careful Rob Pelinka, don’t play too much with fire…
