In the case of entering the playoffs through the play-offs for two consecutive seasons, the Lakers failed to continue the magical performance of the 22-23 season, and directly suffered in the first round of the Nuggets out early, just when everyone was looking forward to the Lakers' offseason operation, the management of the Purple and Gold Army was completely disappointed with the introduction of 0 new signings, the team only completed the contract extension of James and Christie, and let go of Prince, who joined the Bucks with a base salary, and the biggest reinforcement was to take the No. 17 pick Knecht and the No. 55 pick Bronny in the draft.
Coupled with the Lakers' two-year, $104 million maximum salary contract with James, the Lakers are only $45,000 away from triggering the second local tyrant line, which is also thanks to James' $2.65 million salary cut.
In this case, even if the free and trade market is far from over, the Lakers' performance and operation still disappoint most people.
A number of celebrities have also disclosed the Lakers' reinforcement plan, unwilling to chase Grant in the first round, eyeing the 11+7 center.
The Lakers are reluctant to pay for Grant in the first round
According to Sean Deveney of The Athletic, the Lakers are reluctant to pay any first-round pick for Grant in a trade, with the Lakers currently trading up to two first-round picks in '29 and '31, and the Trail Blazers hoping to get both first-round picks in the trade.
In the 23-24 season, Grant averaged 21 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, shooting 40.2% from three-point range.
According to the Trail Blazers' series of operations this summer, as well as the team's roster configuration, Grant does not fit the team's long-term plan.
The Lakers are reluctant to overrun for Gary Trent Jr
Another celebrity, Stein, pointed out on his podcast that the Lakers are very cautious in terms of recruitment, and are unwilling to surpass the second-tier line for Gary Trent Jr., as mentioned above, after the contract extension with James, the Lakers are only $2.65 million away from the second-tier line.
According to a previous report from Shams, if the Lakers can free up the mini-mid-range, they will pursue Dinwiddie or Gary Trent Jr., and as things stand, the Lakers have little hope of pursuing the two.
Stein said very bluntly on the show that even if Gary Trent Jr. is at his fingertips (currently a free agent), the Lakers will not consider him unless he can not trigger the second tier of the local tyrant line.
Over the past four seasons, Gary Trent Jr. has averaged 16.2 points per game, hitting 2.7 three-pointers and shooting 38.3% from three-point range, scoring 30+ in 19 games and 40+ in 3 games.
The Lakers are eyeing the 11+7 interior
Sean Deveney also revealed that the Lakers are interested in getting Magic interior lineman Wendell Carter Jr.
Of course, the Lakers are not the only team that wants to get him, as early as the beginning of the offseason, Michael Scotto revealed that many teams, including the Pelicans, wanted to get Carter Jr.
In the 23-24 season, Carter Jr. played in 55 games, averaging 11 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, shooting 37.4% from three-point range.
It's just that the Lakers have very limited room to maneuver, unless they can package away some of the players on the current roster, because when Pelinka signed players before, most of them gave them a two-year contract with a player option for the second year.
As a result, not only does the Lakers have no space at present, but the space on the list is still very limited, so they can only hope to clear up the spots and space through trades.
Otherwise, according to salary expert Keith Smith's calculations, the Lakers currently only have a veteran base salary of $2.1 million that can be used to strengthen the roster.