Loads of gamers throughout the NBA would love the chance to play for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2026, as LeBron James and Luka Dončić lead a championship-contending workforce in an interesting location.
The Lakers will categorical curiosity in a single place greater than others this offseason, leaving many to overlook out on the possibility to workforce up with James and Dončić. A longtime frontcourt star to carry down the inside on each ends of the ground is what L.A. must keep away from being uncovered within the postseason as soon as once more and to really compete within the Western Convention.
Lakers normal supervisor Rob Pelinka may reap the benefits of one championship contender trying to reduce down on the sum of money it’s investing in stars.
Lakers Predicted To Commerce for Boston Celtics Large Man
The Boston Celtics are paying an absurd quantity of annual cash to their beginning 5: Jrue Vacation, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porziņģis. Contemplating how essential White, Brown and Tatum have been to their 2024 title, Vacation and Porziņģis are extensively seen as the primary two on the commerce block.
CBS Sports activities’ Sam Quinn predicts the Lakers may make a daring blockbuster commerce for Porziņģis this summer time. Discussing the large man’s match with the workforce, Quinn wrote, “An elite shot-making heart. He can hold across the perimeter and make 3s, however in the event you attempt to change in opposition to him, he’s going to punish smaller defenders in each the mid-range and close to the basket.”
Though Porziņģis was both the No. 3 or No. 4 possibility within the Celtics’ offense, he nonetheless managed to common 19.5 factors, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks on 48.3% taking pictures and 41.2% from 3-point vary in 42 appearances this season. It’s robust to say what the Lakers would wish to surrender for the one-time All-Star, however his position in coach J.J. Redick’s offense can be related.
There’s a powerful chance Porziņģis would act as a one-year rental for the Lakers, as James appears to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the fifth time in his profession. His two-year, $60 million deal expires after the 2026 marketing campaign, and inking him to a long-term extension at 30 years previous, given his damage historical past, could also be exhausting to justify.
Quinn then identified the cons that include a deal for Porziņģis: “The Lakers can’t save the Celtics cash, and you need to at all times be skeptical that Boston is keen to cope with the Lakers. His medical historical past is simply too scary to disregard. He can’t be trusted. He and Dončić performed collectively in Dallas and it didn’t go particularly properly.”
Including Porziņģis provides the Lakers a “Large 3” that will rise them up the Western Convention ranks, however his damage historical past and his unknown contract future may steer Pelinka and firm elsewhere.
