Lakers Face Dwindling Options amid Lauri Markkanen Trade Rumors, Gary Trent Jr. Buzz

Lakers Face Dwindling Options amid Lauri Markkanen Trade Rumors, Gary Trent Jr. Buzz0 of 3

Lauri MarkkanenRich Storry/Getty Images

After the Los Angeles Lakers experienced an early playoff exit in April, many expected the franchise to make an offseason splash. To this point, however, Los Angeles has appeared far more often in the rumor mill than on the transaction wire.

The Lakers’ biggest move so far has been re-signing LeBron James on a two-year, $101.35 million contract. James took just a bit less than the max (two years, !04 million) to keep L.A. under the second luxury-tax threshold and provide a little flexibility.

According to Jovan Buha and Shams Charania of The Athletic, James had previously discussed taking a “substantial pay cut” to allow the Lakers to sign a star like Klay Thompson or DeMar DeRozan. However, L.A. missed on its early offseason swings, James only provided a slight discount, and the Lakers face dwindling options late in free agency.

Here, you’ll find a look at some of the latest Lakers buzz and what options remain on the table.

Empty the Cupboard for Lauri Markkanen1 of 3

Lauri MarkkanenAlex Goodlett/Getty Images

When it comes to big-name trade targets, Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen is the top remaining option by a large margin. According to Heavy’s Sean Deveney, the Lakers do have some interest in the 27-year-old.

“The Lakers have interest in Lauri Markkanen of the Jazz, but likely won’t have enough capital on hand to get him to L.A.,” Deveney wrote.

Indeed, prying Markkanen away from Utah would likely end up costing the Lakers several key role players—not the most enticing proposition if they’re looking to be a title contender.

According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, the Sacramento Kings had a “substantial picks-based package” on the table for Markkanen before pivoting to DeRozan. Slater also noted that Utah isn’t believed to actively want to move Markkanen.

“There are several within the league who have grown more convinced that the Jazz, after exploring Markkanen’s trade market, plan to renegotiate-and-extend Markkanen, using their saved up cap space,” Slater wrote.

Los Angeles is working with its 2029 and 2031 first-round picks as trade capital, and that’s not going to get a deal done. Coming up with a salary match for Marrkkanen—who is set to earn just $18 million this season—would be feasible, but the Jazz would likely demand key assets like Austin Reaves, Max Christie and Rui Hachimura.

An offer of two future draft picks and D’Angelo Russell isn’t bringing Markkanen to Los Angeles, meaning this isn’t at all a realistic option at this point.

That could change, however, as the calendar draws closer to August 6. That’s the date on which Markkanen will be eligible to renegotiate his contract. If the Jazz do sign Makkanen to an extension, they’ll have to do it on August 6 for him to remain a potential trade chip at the February 6 deadline.

There is the slightest of chances that unfavorable negotiations cause the Jazz to lower their asking price next month and open a window for L.A. Given the interest of other teams, like the Golden State Warriors, in Markkanen, though, this remains an extreme long shot for the Lakers.

Make a Support Player via Signing or Trade2 of 3

Gary Trent Jr. Rich Storry/Getty Images

The reality is that partnering Markkanen with James and Anthony Davis to form a power trio in L.A. probably isn’t going to happen. The Lakers simply don’t have the necessary assets and reportedly don’t view the “big-three” approach as a viable option anyway.

“They’re not involved in any deals that certainly would land them a third star,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski told SportsCenter on July 3 (h/t Evan Sidery of Forbes). “They’re seeing the landscape of this league, and that the three-star model, with this salary cap, doesn’t work.”

However, the Lakers could still make a player swap—likely moving Russell in the process—or sign a player to the veteran’s minimum or the taxpayer’s mid-level exception.

According to Deveney, the Lakers are eyeing Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. but face competition on the trade market.

“The contract is right, it makes sense for them. That’s a guy they’re monitoring, but a lot of teams are,” one unnamed executive told Deveney.

From a cost standpoint, the Lakers could probably get a deal done with Orlando. The Magic could use a guard like Russell and could be interested in draft capital. However, the interest of other teams could quickly drive Carter’s price point past L.A.’s comfort level.

The Lakers are also interested in free agent guard Gary Trent Jr. However, their status at just $45,001 under the second apron is a big potential problem, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

“One source close to the process cautioned this week that the Lakers, until they can move farther away from the second luxury tax apron, can’t even make a run at Trent … no matter how available he appears to be,” Stein wrote (h/t Bleacher Report’s Erik Beaston).

Before adding a free agent like Trent, the Lakers will have to first find a way to move players and salary. They went into last season with 14 players on the roster to maintain trade flexibility, and they currently have 15 under contract. Trent, meanwhile, isn’t willing to sign a minimum contract, according to DNVR Sports’ Harrison Wind.

There will be obstacles to adding another supporting player, though if the Lakers believe it can strengthen the roster, it is feasible.

Hope for Rookie Contributions and a Fruitful Trade Deadline3 of 3

Dalton KnechtThearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The third option for L.A. is to do nothing. While that’s probably not a path that fans want to see, it won’t necessarily prevent the Lakers from improving. Los Angeles did add a pair of players in the 2024 draft, and they could contribute as soon as this season.

First-round pick Dalton Knecht, specifically, could provide an immediate impact. The Tennessee product shot 39.7 percent from three-point range this past season and could give the Lakers some much-needed range if he makes a quick NBA transition.

“Dalton, besides Bronny, was my favorite player in college basketball,” James told reporters. “…I did not think he would fall to 17 at all.”

While Bronny James, LeBron’s son, is widely viewed as a developmental prospect, he has strong fundamental and defensive traits that could get him on the court as a rookie. Given LeBron’s desire to play with his son, L.A.’s second-round pick (No. 55) always felt like the younger James’ floor, but other teams reportedly consider taking him higher.

“I do know there were teams that talked about taking him earlier, but there’s a whole lot of attention that comes with having LeBron’s son on your team, and, if you’re not the Lakers, do you really want to deal with that for a second round pick?” an unnamed NBA executive said, per
Heavy’s Steve Bulpett.

If the Lakers can get a bit of a boost from their rookies—and possibly more efficient usage under new head coach J.J. Reddick—they could have a more complete team than they did a year ago. That may allow them to tread water until the trade deadline, when more favorable options could become available.

It’s still hard to envision the current roster contending for a title in a Western Conference led by the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, but it’s not an outlandish thought. James and Davis remain two of the top players in the league, when healthy. If the Lakers do find a path to improving their supporting cast, they should have a chance.