NBA free agency has been challenging for the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, as they missed out on signing multiple high-profile players, including Klay Thompson and Buddy Hield. After an early playoff exit against the Denver Nuggets and appointing first-time head coach JJ Redick, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka needs to strengthen the roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
So far, Pelinka’s efforts have fallen short, causing concern among Lakers fans about the team’s competitiveness in a tough Western Conference next season. However, there are still opportunities to enhance the roster with some underrated free agents who could make an immediate impact. According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha and Shams Charania, the Lakers are eyeing Spencer Dinwiddie and Gary Trent Jr.
One obstacle in acquiring these guards is the need for the Lakers to free up enough cap space to utilize their taxpayer midlevel exception (MLE). The MLE has been a contentious issue this offseason, with discussions about James not taking the full max salary to open it up for players like Klay Thompson, Jonas Valančiūnas, and James Harden.
The Lakers are showing interest in signing Gary Trent Jr., per @jovanbuha (https://t.co/IoAt6UU1FQ).
Trent averaged 13.7 points while shooting 39.3% on threes for the Raptors.
Los Angeles still needs to clear cap space in order to utilize their taxpayer mid-level exception. pic.twitter.com/pHeZ5QHk6P
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 7, 2024
Ultimately, the Lakers saw Thompson head to the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade, Valančiūnas sign a three-year contract with the Washington Wizards, and Harden stay with the Clippers on a two-year deal. Despite this, James took a $3 million pay cut (signing a two-year, $101.35 million deal) to help keep the Lakers under the second luxury tax apron.
Spencer Dinwiddie, who spent the second half of the 2023-24 season with the Lakers after being waived by the Toronto Raptors, could be re-signed on a veteran minimum deal. Though his stint with Los Angeles was unimpressive, averaging 6.8 points and 2.4 assists in 24.2 minutes per game, there is potential value in bringing him back.
Gary Trent Jr. would provide a significant boost to the Lakers’ offense with his three-point shooting ability. The 25-year-old averaged 13.7 points per game on 42.6 percent shooting from the field and 39.3 percent from beyond the arc with Toronto last season. With a career three-point shooting percentage of 38.6 percent, Trent Jr. could be a valuable addition, especially since Malik Beasley signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Detroit Pistons, potentially leaving Trent Jr. within the Lakers’ financial reach.
In summary, while the Lakers are showing interest in several free agents, it is crucial for them to make strategic moves this offseason to avoid another early playoff exit next season.
