LeBron James has by no means taken a pay reduce throughout his time in Los Angeles and it was anticipated that he would goal for a brand new max contract with the Lakers this summer season. With the Lakers ready to pay it, this all felt inevitable, however all of the sudden, James willingness to take lower than a max contract opens up a full mid-level exception for the Lakers and many prospects with it.
Whereas this creates new alternatives for the Lakers, you continue to want LeBron on board to make it occur, so it must be for a participant he finds value it. Whereas unique reporting centered on Klay Thompson, James Harden and Jonas Valančiūnas because the three major names, on Monday’s “The Hoop Collective” podcast, Brian Windhorst of ESPN mentioned one other potential title.
LeBron and Wealthy Paul met with the Lakers on this subject final week they usually agreed, from what I’m instructed, on a brief listing of gamers that LeBron would be ok with taking much less cash to get on the Lakers and, clearly, certainly one of them was Klay Thompson…I believe there’s greater than three [players on the list]. I believe DeMar DeRozan is on that listing as nicely and there could also be one other one or so.
We’ve heard Thompson’s title all weekend linked to the Lakers and it was reported that James referred to as Klay firstly of free company.
Nevertheless, DeMar DeRozan is an individual we haven’t heard related to the Lakers this summer season.
The Compton native and, beforehand, Chicago Bull would offer an offensive surge no present Laker in addition to LeBron and Anthony Davis can present. He averaged 24 factors, 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists final 12 months in Chicago, and whereas he’s an growing old star, that type of manufacturing is tough to come back by.
Nobody has wished to be a Laker extra within the NBA than DeRozan throughout his time within the league. A number of instances, the 2 events have come near uniting however that has but to occur. May this summer season lastly see DeRozan get his want?
DeRozan turns into an more and more intriguing possibility as an unrestricted free agent and with the market rapidly dwindling. If LeBron approves, this transfer would enhance the Lakers.
Is it higher than buying Thompson? Most likely not. Defensively he probably provides you a bit bit extra, Klay’s capturing is so elite that you need to assume that’s the best-case state of affairs for Los Angeles.
Nonetheless, if Klay goes elsewhere, it’s good to listen to the Lakers have multiple possibility for bettering this summer season.
You possibly can comply with Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.
