The Los Angeles Lakers are exploring potential trades to enhance their roster for improved performance in the upcoming season. Following LeBron James’s recent salary reduction, the Lakers may target two key players. According to recent reports by NBA Insider Jovan Buha for The Athletic, the Lakers are looking to acquire Gary Trent Jr. and Spencer Dinwiddie to bolster their roster and support star players LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the upcoming season.
“Gary Trent Jr. and Spencer Dinwiddie are two names to watch for if the Lakers clear enough space to use their taxpayer midlevel exception,” Buha wrote in his recent post on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Lakers are interested in Gary Trent Jr. and Spencer Dinwiddie; per @jovanbuha
“Gary Trent Jr. and Spencer Dinwiddie are two names to watch for if the Lakers clear enough space to use their taxpayer midlevel exception”
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— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BASKETBALLonX) July 7, 2024
In June 2018, the Sacramento Kings selected Gary Trent Jr. as the 37th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. He was then traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. After playing three seasons with the Trail Blazers, Trent Jr. was traded to the Toronto Raptors. According to ESPN, he averaged 13.7 points, 1.7 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in 71 games in the 2023-24 season.
On the other hand, Dinwiddie signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, paying the league minimum in February 2024. According to ESPN, the 31-year-old point guard averaged 6.8 points, 2.4 assists, and 0.5 rebounds in 28 games this season.
Lakers Struggle to Attract Top Talent Amidst Challenges
The team has been trying to add essential players to their lineup but has faced challenges. After a disappointing loss against the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs in the 2023-24 season, the Lakers made some tough decisions, including firing head coach Darvin Ham.
They began interviewing potential candidates and offered the head coaching position to UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley, who declined and stayed at UConn. However, they later hired former NBA player JJ Redick as the new head coach.
When former Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson entered free agency, the Lakers attempted to acquire him with an impressive offer. Still, Thompson declined and chose to sign with the Dallas Mavericks despite his father’s disapproval.
It will be fascinating to see which players the Lakers will select for the roster.