The Los Angeles Lakers are desperately looking to make a big move ahead of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline.
In recent days, the team has been linked to everything ranging from a reunion with two former players to a major blockbuster superstar to an offer they made the Golden State Warriors that was ultimately rejected.
Over the years L.A. has built up a reputation for making splashy moves.
This week, one particularly intriguing rumor began to circulate within league circles.
According to ESPN NBA insider Dave McMenamin, the Lakers have interest in Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“The Lakers currently have only one future first-round pick available to trade, but starting on the day of the NBA draft, they’ll have three: 2031, 2029 and either 2024 or 2025, depending on whether New Orleans chooses to use the 2024 pick it previously received from L.A. or defers it to the next draft,” McMenamin said.
“The Lakers have discussed internally the possibility of packaging three picks along with players they already have on their books to pursue a bona fide star such as Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers.”
McMenamin is known for two things: his controversial relationship with a fellow ESPN employee and being one of the most plugged-in insiders in the league.
If he is saying the Lakers have interest in Mitchell – they definitely do.
The question is simply whether L.A. has the necessary assets to acquire him.
According to NBA insider Evan Dammarell, “sources said that Cleveland is looking to recoup the draft picks after sending three first-rounders and two picks swaps to the Utah Jazz to acquire Mitchell, allowing them to be more dynamic in improving their roster around the core of [Darius] Garland and [Evan] Mobley.”
In addition to draft capital, it is hard to see a scenario where Cleveland doesn’t demand someone like Austin Reaves.
Jared Goff’s Wife Christen Harper Shares Wild Lions Party Bus Photos: https://t.co/o9Nqxzceg9
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The Lakers have made their asking price for Reaves a matter of public record, too.
Whether or not he and the picks will be enough for someone of Mitchell’s pedigree is the million dollar question.
Can the Lakers shock the world and bring in Mitchell ahead of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline? One way or another, an answer is emerging over the next week and change.
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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.
