Los Angeles Lakers fans are eagerly anticipating a significant move this offseason, but according to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the team is adopting a patient approach.
Buha reported that a reunion with Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans or a trade for Utah Jazz big man Lauri Markkanen is unlikely. He noted on his “Buha’s Block” podcast that a blockbuster deal involving these players seems improbable at the moment due to the Lakers’ current circumstances.
Ingram, who is entering the final year of his five-year, $158.2 million contract, is reportedly eyeing a lucrative new deal. However, sources indicate that the Pelicans have not offered him a contract close to his maximum, and viable options for such a deal are limited following other recent signings around the league.
The Lakers originally traded Ingram to the Pelicans in 2019 as part of the deal that brought Anthony Davis to Los Angeles. Acquiring Ingram now would present salary cap challenges for the Lakers.
Given these factors, Buha suggested that Lakers fans should temper expectations for splashy acquisitions like Ingram or Markkanen. Instead, the team is likely to focus on more modest moves, potentially targeting role players rather than stars like Klay Thompson or DeMar DeRozan, who were previously linked to the Lakers in rumors.
Buha emphasized that the Lakers are prepared to wait for the right opportunity in the trade market. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis nearing the later stages of their careers, the team is cautious about trading valuable assets such as first-round draft picks unless the trade offers substantial benefits.
In conclusion, while Lakers supporters may hope for a major transaction, the team’s current strategy suggests a measured and purposeful approach to navigating the offseason and potential trades in the weeks and months ahead.
