The Lakers are still juggling a roster that’s sitting one player over the limit, and that reality is already shaping how they’re thinking about their next move. After a busy offseason full of trades and signings, Los Angeles has a few different paths to get back into compliance - and some names are already being floated as the odd men out.
Lakers insider Jovan Buha said the team will likely need to move on from one of three players.
“Clearly, the Lakers need to dump someone, and I think it's going to be one of three players," Lakers insider Jovan Buha said. "It's going to either be Dalton Knecht, Jaden Hardy, or Bronny James."
Buha added that the most likely route is a consolidation deal, the kind that sends out multiple players for one incoming piece.
“My understanding is a consolidation trade. Obviously, it would be two-for-one, three-for-one, or three-for-two is a little more complicated," Buha said."So I think the most straightforward one would be two-for-one…And depending on the configuration of the trade, it could be a version of two of the back-end guys, let's say Dalton Knecht and Jaden Hardy, for a backup center."
That search for the right move has already included at least one name the Lakers ultimately passed on. According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, Los Angeles explored a deal for veteran shooter Buddy Hield but decided not to go through with it.
“Sources told ClutchPoints that the Lakers have been exploring consolidation trades in recent weeks, including the opportunity to trade for Buddy Hield that they decided not to pursue,” Siegel wrote.
Hield, who is on a $37 million contract, would have given the Lakers another proven shooter. Still, the front office may have been more focused on finding a big man, which could explain why the idea never got traction.
For now, the Lakers are still sorting through the market, and there’s a sense that they’ll keep looking until the right deal comes along. They passed on this one, but it seems clear they’re not done shopping.
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