The Los Angeles Lakers failed to make a big in-season trade this year, but that is not stopping them from trying to get a head start on doing something this offseason.
The Athletic's Jovan Buha said the Lakers are still “third-star hunting” and are already considering potential moves in the offseason. Buha named Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young the “most realistic” possibility, adding that such a deal would likely require the Lakers to give up Austin Reaves.
Interestingly, the Lakers pursued Dejounte Murray earlier this year, though nothing ever came of it. Young may be the more likely to be moved going forward, though. Even with Young in the fold, the Hawks have failed to make much of an impression, prompting some to wonder if the star guard could be moved this offseason.
Young would not be cheap for the Lakers in any regard. In addition to the players and picks they would have to give up to get him, he signed a five-year, $215 million max extension in 2021 that runs through at least 2025-26.
Young continues to put up big numbers and averages 26.4 points per game. His long-range shooting ability would give the Lakers something they do not currently have, but one wonders how things would work by adding another ball-dominant player.
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