According to reports, LeBron James’ list of big men to trade for will be pursued by the Los Angeles Lakers.
This summer, the Los Angeles Lakers made an effort to trade for many players and sign a number of free agents. Unfortunately, they were ineffective, as it appears the Lakers will try again with the same squad that was eliminated in the first round.
LeBron James is said to have given the Lakers front office a list of players he would have taken a salary cut for in free agency, which has even more frustrated supporters over this lack of movement. Big man Jonas Valanciunas, a free agent, was one of those players. The 32-year-old center did, however, ultimately agree to a three-year, $30 million contract with the Washington Wizards.
It appears that the Lakers are still interested in the Lithuanian power forward. Jovan Buha of The Athletic, a Lakers insider, predicts that the front office will target Valanciunas in the trade market.
“Clearly, there was some interest. The Lakers will likely look into it again because he was on LeBron’s list.”
Regarding Jonas Valanciunas, Jovan Buha
Given that the Wizards are rebuilding, Valanciunas should be available in the middle of the season. A youthful, developing team isn’t the best place for a 32-year-old who doesn’t space the floor and requires touches offensively. Before the trade deadline, he ought to be available for a few second-round picks and a salary equivalent to that.
Another question is if Valanciunas is necessary for the Lakers. JV doesn’t contribute either shooting or defense, which are two things Los Angeles needs more of. He is a physically intimidating player, a fantastic interior scorer, and a good rebounder. But he doesn’t look nice next to LeBron James or Anthony Davis.
Though Davis has expressed a desire to play power forward more, the Lakers and the All-Star center must acknowledge that AD is a center. Due to his limited shooting ability on offense and excellent rim protection on defense, he must be around the rim on both sides of the court. Utilizing resources in this way, pairing him with a conventional center, is not optimal.
However, Rob Pelinka has to make a deal for him if LeBron wanted him, since the Lakers cannot afford to have an uninspired LeBron as they aim for yet another deep postseason run.
