The Lakers are heading into Monday’s roster deadline with work still to do, and one possible frontcourt fix is already on their radar.
Los Angeles has until Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. PST to trim its roster to the NBA’s maximum of 15 players, and the front office is still weighing every route available. That includes the possibility of a two-for-one trade, a move that could help the Lakers keep the best talent while getting down to the required number.
One name to watch is center Moussa Cisse. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Dallas Mavericks may be close to waiving Cisse, which would give the Lakers a chance to add depth in the middle before the regular season begins for Los Angeles on Weds.
Oct. 21.
Cisse appeared in 38 games for Dallas last season and posted 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 57.4% from the field. He did that in limited run, averaging just 13.9 minutes per game off the bench, but the numbers still point to a useful 23-year-old big man.
Adding Cisse would require a corresponding move, and that likely means waiving one of the Lakers’ two-way players. Chris Manon, Arthur Kaluma and AK Okereke are currently on those contracts, though it sounds as if the choice would probably come down to Kaluma and Okereke.
Manon appears safest of the group. The Lakers reportedly value him highly, and head coach JJ Redick recently made it clear that the team is “invested” in developing the 24-year-old perimeter defender. Manon has earned that trust with his defensive edge and scrappy play on the wing.
For general manager Rob Pelinka, the clock is very much ticking. He’s expected to keep working the phones right up to the deadline as the Lakers try to squeeze in one last move, or maybe two, before opening the season against the Golden State Warriors.
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