
The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2023-24 NBA campaign did not go as planned.
Following last year’s run to the Western Conference Finals, the front office doubled down on investing in role players like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura instead of stars like Russell Westbrook.
The bet didn’t pay off.
Now the Lakers are going back to what they have traditionally been known for over the years: adding big superstars.
This week, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reported that L.A. will make a strong push for Trae Young over the summer.
“(The Lakers) are going third star hunting this off-season and we’ll see how that affects the DLO situation,” said Buha.
“You probably have to give up Austin in almost any third-star trade. Now who’s available? The one name I continually hear is Trae Young. He’s been to Laker playoff games before, he’s a Clutch Sports client. That’s probably the most realistic one right now.”
Buha isn’t the only one making this case, though.
According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, there is definitely something happening here.
“So, to me, the Hawks thing is interesting because it’s only recently there have been legitimate — whatever, let me think how I wanna phrase this — rumblings about the possibility of Trae Young actually being traded,” said MacMahon.
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“Only recently has that been something that you would even think would be a consideration for the Hawks.”
Young to Los Angeles makes for an training move. He isn’t LeBron James’ preferred point guard, but obviously he is better than nothing.
Will Young ultimately be a member of the Lakers once the 2024-25 NBA season tips off next year? Time will tell.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.