LA Lakers looking to sign former Golden State Warriors champion who just hired Luka Doncic and Deandre Ayton’s agent

LA Lakers expert says team trying to sign Gary Payton II

Anthony Irwin of Clutch Points took to X to talk about the LA Lakers’ exploits in free agency. He talked about the rumors he has heard about the Lakers and Gary Payton II.

Even prior to Gary Payton II changing agents, he had heard of the Lakers being interested in the defensive standout. And those rumors have only intensified further in the last few weeks.

“There were some whispers connecting Gary Payton II to the Lakers even before he signed with Bill Duffy. I can safely say he’s very much on the Lakers’ radar.”

What’s interesting here is that Payton’s new agent, Bill Duffy, also represents Deandre Ayton and helped broker a deal to get the big man to the Lakers.

Other notable Lakers stars whom Duffy represents? Luka Doncic and Jaxson Hayes. So the front office definitely has a strong relationship with the WME agent.

Pelinka could leverage this relationship, coupled with his own experience as Kobe Bryant’s agent in the past, to lure Payton II away from the Warriors in free agency.

Payton has put up strong numbers across his career, as you can see from the figures Sofascore provides below.

Anthony Irwin predicts Rob Pelinka set to make big trade

While he didn’t make any kind of guarantee about the LA Lakers, aside from Shake Milton leaving the team, Irwin did say that he expects the Lakers to make a trade soon.

“I can’t be sure of anything outside of Milton not being on the team after the next few days. But I do think some kind of trade is coming.”

If the Lakers can land Payton II and also make a big swing for a key player, then there may be a genuine chance they look like contenders next season.

Perhaps this is how the Lakers earn Luka Doncic’s trust to sign a new contract. Building a strong roster with him as the centerpiece is the way forward for the Lakers.

Expect some big moves in the coming weeks, as Irwin is one of the most well-reputed Lakers insiders in the NBA space.