Lakers predicted to poach $16 million elite 3-and-D wing from Rockets to pair with Luka Doncic

The Los Angeles Lakers are in the midst of a playoff run at the moment, but they are already looking ahead to what is coming this summer. They will spend the offseason building around franchise player Luka Doncic, just as both sides discussed last year around this time.

“Dončić being just 26 gives the Lakers a far longer timeline to build a championship-contending team, but that doesn't mean they can slow down and take their time. Dončić told Lakers president Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick in May that he's not interested in taking the slow approach in building a contender,” CBS Sports’ Jasmyn Wimbish wrote.

The key for Los Angeles is that they are expected to have cap space available to make moves this offseason.

“The Lakers have a megastar in Dončić and a unique amount of potential cap space for a title hopeful this offseason. This summer will go a long way toward determining how well they can build a championship contender around Luka over the next few years,” Silver Screen and Roll’s Bryan Toporek wrote.

A name that is already emerging as a possible target for the Lakers is current Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason. It would be notable if the Lakers were able to land a player from the team they just eliminated in the playoffs.

“There was a lot to like when envisioning the potential fit with the Lakers. Adding Eason's athleticism and defense, and coupling that with strong offensive upside, makes him an easy player to imagine thriving when playing next to Doncic. Eason already knows his future might not be in Houston, too. The Rockets forward hinted at that idea after the 98-78 loss for his team in Game 6,” Lake Show Life’s Svyatoslav Rovenchuk wrote.

There is no doubt that Eason would provide a major boost on the defensive side of the ball, and he is also capable of knocking down shots from beyond the arc. He fits the type of player Los Angeles is expected to target this offseason.

Eason also showed the Lakers exactly what he is capable of during the playoff series between the two teams. He is in the final year of his $16 million contract, and adding a player like him would significantly improve Los Angeles moving forward.

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