The Lakers’ offseason may not be done making noise.
After already landing Walker Kessler in a trade to open free agency and signing Kevon Looney, Los Angeles is still searching for more frontcourt help. The team’s focus remains on big-man depth, whether that comes in the form of another backup center behind Kessler or another option at power forward.
“The Lakers are still monitoring the market for big men, team sources told The Athletic," The Athletic's Dan Woike reported. "They traded for Walker Kessler and signed Kevon Looney to play center, and Mamukelashvili can play the position, too.
The team could address the position either by trade or signing, like with potentially adding Thybulle. The roster is currently at full capacity.”
To make a move, Los Angeles has a few pieces it can work with, and Jarred Vanderbilt has been one of the names floated in trade conversations all summer. Evan Sidery reported that the Lakers are open to moving both Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht.
“The Lakers are actively shopping Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt in trade talks. After gaining two second-round picks in the Deandre Ayton trade, Los Angeles could consolidate those assets in a deal immediately for a starting-caliber wing," NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
One name that has come up as a possible fit is Mavericks forward P.J. Washington. Lakers insider Jovan Buha said a deal could be built around Vanderbilt and a hefty chunk of draft capital.
“In terms of a legal trade, it would have to be Hardy and LaRavia right now at the minimum in terms of outgoing salary to salary match with P.J. 's contract, plus keep the Lakers under the first apron. You could do Hardy and LaRavia … plus whatever draft capital is required to make it work. I assume it would be at least three of L.A.'s four draft assets, or you could do Jared Vanderbilt … that would also be legal,” Buha said.
Washington would check a major box for Los Angeles, and the fit gets even more interesting because of his history with Luka Doncic. The two already showed strong chemistry in Dallas, and a reunion in Los Angeles would give the Lakers another weapon who knows how to play alongside Doncic.
That’s why Vanderbilt’s name keeps coming up. The Lakers have explored moving his contract, and in this scenario, he’d head to Dallas while Washington comes back together with the guard he reached the NBA Finals alongside.
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