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The Los Angeles Lakers are having a strong season heading into the All-Star break, even after a relatively quiet trade deadline. The Lakers didn’t make many moves at the deadline, largely because they are relying on having significant cap space this summer — especially if LeBron James decides to sign elsewhere, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has mentioned.
“Cleveland is one of them. I’m not sure I’d put the Heat on the list. Golden State depending on how things go would be one. There’s a place of two that I won’t say right now that I’m keeping my eye on… I have a team or two that I think he could consider going too and I have researched the concept and I will continue to keep my eye on the concept,” Windhorst said on the Rich Eisen Show.
A name the Lakers are expected to be all-in this summer is center Walker Kessler.
“There is significant buzz building around the Lakers preparing to aggressively pursue Walker Kessler in free agency. Armed with cap space to make a lucrative offer sheet to Kessler, teams wonder if the Jazz will ultimately match a figure well above their preferred price range,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.
The Utah Jazz opted not to give Kessler a rookie contract extension, which is why he will hit free agency this summer.
“The Utah Jazz and Walker Kessler will not reach an agreement on a rookie-scale contract extension, league sources tell The Athletic, which clears the way for the starting center to reach restricted free agency next summer,” The Athletic’s Tony Jones wrote.
The Lakers have been exploring a trade with the Jazz for Kessler for some time, but the situation becomes more manageable once he reaches free agency. If James decides to leave, it would only strengthen the Lakers’ position in pursuing Kessler.
Los Angeles is looking to have a monster offseason and build around Luka Doncic. Kessler checks all the boxes for the Lakers, and the team is expected to go all out to secure him.
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