With the Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching position now filled, the team can focus entirely on the upcoming draft and finalizing their roster.
Rookie head coach JJ Redick will need a strong roster to make the Lakers competitive with top teams. While LeBron James and Anthony Davis will remain with the team unless something unexpected occurs, their presence alone won’t guarantee a deep playoff run.
This offseason, the Lakers have several avenues to explore. According to Yahoo! Sports’ Jake Fischer, veterans Jonas Valanciunas and Jerami Grant are on their radar. Valanciunas is an unrestricted free agent, while Grant is under contract with the Portland Trail Blazers for at least three more seasons.
Fischer mentions that the Lakers have been linked to various centers for their No. 17 draft pick, including Baylor freshman Yves Missi and Indiana sophomore Ke’lel Ware.
Adding Missi or Ware would bring youth, size, and athleticism to the team, while Valanciunas would offer a different type of size. Despite his solid performance last season, with averages of 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, Valanciunas’ addition could limit the Lakers’ ability to play at a fast pace or maintain defensive versatility. However, if Redick aims for a more deliberate style of play, Valanciunas could be a good fit.
Fischer also notes that Grant is considered another potential target for the Lakers. With the Blazers in a rebuilding phase, they might be open to trading Grant. However, the Lakers would need to package contracts and possibly offer enticing young players or draft picks to make the deal happen, given Grant’s value to Portland.
Grant averaged 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game last season, shooting 40.2% from three-point range.
The Lakers need to act quickly to assemble a competitive roster and address their immediate needs.
