The Los Angeles Lakers have had a surprisingly quiet offseason, despite the anticipation of big moves. With new CBA restrictions complicating roster improvements, L.A. hoped for a break that didn’t come.
The Lakers’ hopes for cap relief were dashed when players like Jaxson Hayes, Christian Wood, Cam Reddish, and D’Angelo Russell opted into their contracts. Even LeBron James’s willingness to take a significant pay cut to sign a star like Klay Thompson or DeMar DeRozan didn’t materialize, leading to him re-signing for $101.35 million over two years.
According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha and Shams Charania, the Lakers are still expected to make a trade before the February 7 deadline, but patience is the current strategy. Potential trade candidates include Clint Capela, Brandon Ingram, and Lauri Markkanen, with August 6 being a key date for Markkanen.
For the Lakers to improve, they might need to shift from buyers to sellers, focusing on players like Wood, Hayes, and Reddish. These players, who L.A. hoped would opt out, now appear expendable. Reddish, the only one averaging over 20 minutes last season, posted modest stats and isn’t expected to play a major role, especially with rookie Dalton Knecht in the mix.
Trading Wood, Reddish, and Hayes could help the Lakers financially and roster-wise. Currently just $45,001 under the second luxury-tax apron, shedding salary might allow them to use the taxpayer midlevel exception. Additionally, with a full roster of 15 players, the Lakers might need to free up spots for trade flexibility.
While waiting for an in-season deal might frustrate fans, this approach has paid off before, as seen with the team’s run to the Western Conference Finals two years ago. Reducing the roster’s back end shouldn’t significantly impact the court, keeping the core team ready for a strategic move.
