The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly don’t want to use their fifteenth and closing roster spot on an ancillary piece, however as a substitute on a difference-making participant.
Per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Lakers view the ultimate roster spot as “a very important” piece of the puzzle and need to be diligent about their decision-making.
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“There’s one empty roster spot remaining. Sometimes a team with 14 guys would prefer to keep the spot open to make a move at the trade deadline or have some optionality. That’s not the case for the Lakers. They view this final spot as a very important piece to their potential puzzle,” McMenamin informed “NBA Today” on Wednesday.
“…They’re trying to pitch opportunity. ‘You will come here, you’ll play on the biggest stage in basketball and you may have to take a pay cut for a year or two but you can get back into the big dollars.’”
Lakers Roster Nearly Finalized
The Lakers used their penultimate roster spot on veteran massive man Kevon Looney, bringing their general roster rely to 14 gamers, as seen under.
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The Lakers are reportedly attempting to commerce Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht with hopes of touchdown Jonathan Kuminga or one other difference-making participant. Although Vando continues to be a suspect shooter, his defensive versatility might be coveted by groups trying to make defensive upgrades. He has a participant possibility price $13.2M for the 2027-28 season, however is on a cap-friendly $12.4M wage this coming season.
Lakers Eyeing Jonathan Kuminga
McMenamin added that the Lakers stay intrigued by the concept of including Kuminga, who’s reportedly eyeing a deal within the $15-$18M per season vary.
“They would have to do some maneuvering like attaching Vanderbilt and Knecht with the two second-round picks they got from the Wizards,” the Lakers insider stated. “That’s the only way they can free up some cap space to pursue Kuminga.”
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California Post’s Khobi Price supplied perception on the Lakers placing Vanderbilt on the commerce block, and the Atlanta Hawks’ asking worth in a Kuming sign-and-trade.
“A source told the Post the Hawks are willing to execute a sign-and-trade with the Lakers around the framework of Kuminga going to L.A. and the Hawks receiving Jarred Vanderbilt and the Lakers’ 2032 first-round pick swap – the lone option the Lakers have of trading a first-round pick this summer,” Price reported on Wednesday.
“Los Angeles also has three second-round picks (Wizards two picks and its own 2033 pick) available to trade.
“Kuminga’s contract would have to be for at least three or four seasons (not including option seasons), and the first season must be fully guaranteed, if the Lakers acquired him in a sign and trade.”
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Kuminga is unquestionably the type of difference-making participant the Lakers might use with their fifteenth roster spot. The former NBA champion will deliver athleticism and defensive versatility, to not point out the flexibility to assault the rim and unencumber Doncic and Reaves.
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