It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Lakers will look to significantly upgrade their roster this summer in order to truly go after their 18th NBA championship next season. They will definitely look to address their very weak center rotation, and they also need better depth in the backcourt and possibly another 3-and-D wing.
While they do not have a ton of viable trade assets, they do have a few that could fetch at least one useful player on the open market. They have the expiring contracts of guard Gabe Vincent and forwards Rui Hachimura and Maxi Kleber, as well as Dalton Knecht and a 2031 first-round draft pick to offer.
This week, executives across the NBA have congregated in Chicago for the annual draft combine, an event that seeks to emulate the NFL’s well-known draft combine in order to give attendees a glimpse at the abilities of the players who will be available in next month’s draft. Per the Los Angeles Times, Knecht, those expiring contracts and that 2031 draft pick are considered L.A.’s best assets.
Via Los Angeles Times:
“According to rival scouts and executives, the Lakers best’ assets (minus Reaves) are their 2031 first-round pick, second year wing Dalton Knecht and a bunch of expiring contracts,” wrote Dan Woike. “Some combination of them would be a must in any deal the team would make for a center.”
Knecht and that 2031 first-round pick were offered to the Charlotte Hornets in February for Mark Williams, a promising young center who can run, finish at the rim, rebound and block shots. But that trade was rescinded after Williams reportedly failed his physical with the Lakers.
Since LeBron James isn’t expected to take a pay cut and open up the Lakers’ full mid-level exception, the trade market looks to be the only path toward securing a true starting-caliber center.
