As the Los Angeles Lakers pursue an upgrade at the center spot a new rumor has linked them to a pair of notable impact big men from the Eastern Conference.
The Lakers have gotten off to a solid start to the 2024-25 season. They enter Sunday’s game against the Toronto Raptors with a record of 5-4 and reason for optimism. Big man Anthony Davis has gotten off to an MVP-level start, Lebron James is as effective as ever, and Austin Reaves is looking like the player he was two seasons ago.
However, there are sure to be ups and downs for the team this season as the roster and new head coach JJ Redick try to gel his system with their talents. Since the summer, the Lakers have been linked to various trade chatter. But moves for an impact player have been the most prominent.
While Davis has had a great start at center, Redick has made it known he would like to pair the nine-time All-Star with a traditional center. Well, on Saturday, NBA insider Jake Fischer revealed a pair of interesting names the organization reportedly has on their wish list.
Los Angeles Lakers high on Brook Lopez and Jonas Valanciunas acquisitions
“With the Lakers, the trade things that we absolutely know to be true, and not to have changed — especially after seeing JJ Redick’s emotional and frustrated reaction on the bench to D’Angelo Russell’s stepback jumper at the baseline the other night — is D’Angelo Russell is going to be on the block and going to be available as outgoing salary. That’s roughly $20 million dollars to play with for the Lakers,” Fischer said in a Bleacher Report live stream.
“And the center spot is a spot we know Los Angeles has been looking to upgrade and will be looking to upgrade. We mentioned Brook Lopez, he is someone that I was told was on the Lakers’ list of potential targets this summer,” he added. “Jonas Valanciunas is another name I would keep an eye on for the future. And is someone I was told over the summer was on the Lakers internal board.”
Both veteran big men have been linked to trades before the season even started. Lopez is in the final year of his contract and seems like a poor fit for the system of Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers. While there is a belief around the league that Valanciunas was signed to a cap-friendly deal with the expectation he would eventually be traded by the Washington Wizards.
Either man would be a strong addition to the Lakers.
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