The Los Angeles Lakers have had a very quiet offseason so far.
Despite initially being linked to names like Klay Thompson, Dejounte Murray and DeMar DeRozan – L.A. couldn’t quite close the deal on any of those guys.
Now a summer that initially had a lot of promise is widely being regarded as a failure.
Fortunately, it doesn’t appear as though Lakers brass is done making changes.
According to NBA insider Jake Weinbach, Rob Pelinka and Co. have a shortlist of eight players whom they still regard as gettable.
“The Lakers’ list of potential trade targets: Darius Garland, Bruce Brown, Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Jerami Grant, Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith [and] Wendell Carter Jr. I don’t foresee anything to be imminent, but watch for these names to become frequently linked to the Lakers,” he wrote.
It is worth remembering, the Lakers’ best offer for Grant is a matter of public record. Thus far, the Portland Trail Blazers haven’t taken the bait.
Similarly, it feels like the Miami Heat’s and Golden State Warriors’ offers for Markkanen are stronger than Los Angeles’.
That being said – anything can happen at this point. It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Lakers pull a Pau Gasol-like trade for Markkanen, nor one for Grant.
By the same token, if they only came away with the likes of Sexton or Carter Jr., nobody would bat an eye either.
It genuinely feels like the Lakers could go could in a lot of different directions right now. Which one they ultimately choose will dictate their fortunes for many years to come.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
